SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) --The ruling party claimed victory
Friday in Dominican Republic elections with its leaders saying they expect to strengthen
their control over Congress.

But the opposition Dominican Liberation Party disputed the emerging results, saying
in a statement that the slow vote count was "very suspicious."

With more than half of the ballots from Thursday's legislative and municipal
elections counted, the ruling Dominican Revolutionary Party of President Hipolito
Mejia led other parties in 26 of the 32 provinces, according to the electoral
commission.

"There has been a tremendous victory for the Revolutionary Party," said Hatuey de
Camps, the party's president.

However, the Liberation Party said its poll figures showed it was the likely winner in
five provinces. The party said it would create commissions to investigate possible
fraud.

More than 100 observers monitored the vote and said they had found no
irregularities.

About 50 Liberation Party supporters in front of their party headquarters burned
garbage bins and tree limbs Friday night to protest the election results and chanted
slogans like "To the streets against fraud."

Protesters, who eventually dispersed peacefully, blamed the governing party of
manipulating election outcomes.

"[The Revolutionary Party] is trying to steal our victory in the Capitol," said Lucia
Altagracia, a 47-year-old chef.

During campaigning, candidates from the Revolutionary Party had pointed to
economic gains, while opposition leaders had promised to combat joblessness --
now at 15.6 percent -- and widespread poverty.

Mejia -- in Spain to attend a summit of leaders from the European Union, Latin
America and the Caribbean -- said the expected victory reflects popular support for
his government's economic policies.

Organizers said they expect official complete results in the municipal races Saturday
and in the legislative races Sunday.

Seats up for election Thursday included all 32 Senate seats, all 150 seats in the
House of Representatives and 125 municipal positions, including mayoral posts.

The centrist Revolutionary Party was trying to keep its control of the legislature
from slipping to either of the opposition parties, the center-left Dominican Liberation
Party or the right-leaning Reformist Social Christian Party of former President
Joaquin Balaguer.

Before the elections, Mejia's ruling party held 19 Senate seats and 66 in the House. It
controlled the House through a coalition of small parties. The Liberation Party had
four seats in the Senate and 49 in the House, while the Reformist Party had two
seats in the Senate and 17 in the House.

While thousands voted peacefully on Thursday, one person was killed and seven
were injured in violence linked to party rivalries, authorities said.

The violence flared early Thursday before polls opened. One person was killed and
five were injured in election-related fighting in Monte Cristi, about 145 miles
northwest of Santo Domingo, police said. Two others were injured in Villa Vasquez,
95 miles northwest of the capital.

On Sunday, one man was killed in a shootout during a political rally in Yamasa, just
north of the capital.

Fighting often breaks out during voting in the Dominican Republic. More than 30
people were killed during 2000 presidential election.

Copyright 2002 The Associated Press.