Dignity Project rips high court ruling on minority parties

Dignity Project President Dr. César Vázquez Muñiz, in foreground with microphone

By The Star Staff

As the Dignity Project (Proyecto Dignidad) political party sees it, the island Supreme Court has dealt a significant blow to the transparency and fairness of democratic processes in Puerto Rico by upholding the constitutionality of key provisions of the 2020 Electoral Code that “unjustifiably and alarmingly” discriminate against minority parties.

“This decision represents a severe setback for Puerto Rican democracy and perpetuates a system that favors majority parties, depriving minority parties of equal representation within the State Elections Commission (SEC),” the Dignity Project (DP) said about the top court ruling issued Friday.

Right after the election, the SEC told the DP that it had to shut down its offices at the SEC and that it no longer had the right to have an electoral commissioner because it had obtained less than 25% in full votes. The party appealed the SEC’s decision, arguing that its constitutional rights had been violated, but the top court sided with the SEC.

DP officials will hold a press conference today at SEC headquarters to protest the ruling.

“This inequitable arrangement compromises our democratic system, as the ruling is based on the erroneous assertion that the challenged provisions do not create suspect classifications or violate fundamental rights to equality and free association,” the group said.

In their dissenting opinions, Judge Estrella Martínez and Judge Colón Pérez, joined by Chief Justice Oronoz Rodríguez, emphasized that the challenged provisions generate arbitrary distinctions between politically similar parties, directly undermining the representation of DP voters. The system threatens the very essence of democracy by fortifying the dominance of majority parties while restricting political plurality, they wrote.

“The historical context of these legislative provisions does not convincingly justify these limitations. According to our Constitution, any party that surpasses the necessary threshold of votes to maintain its electoral franchise deserves equal voice and representation in the SEC,” the DP said. “However, the current system deliberately restricts the participation of certain parties, ignoring the fundamental principle that “the electoral system is not an expense but a vital investment to guarantee democracy in Puerto Rico.”

The DP views the decision as a weakening of fundamental rights.

“It is imperative to emphasize that this ruling affects not only Proyecto Dignidad but every voter who yearns for a truly inclusive system, where their vote is not merely a symbolic act but a genuine instrument of representation,” DP President Dr. César Vázquez Muñiz stated. “Limiting the equitable representation of parties diminishes oversight, distorts the spirit of democratic collaboration, and erodes citizens’ trust in our institutions.”

Juan M. Frontera Suau, the DP electoral commissioner, pointed out that “[a]s the dissenting opinions indicated, the State failed to demonstrate a compelling public interest to justify this disproportionate exclusion.”

“This action not only penalizes minority parties but also denies voters their right to effective representation, violating essential democratic principles,” he said. “At Proyecto Dignidad, we reaffirm our commitment to defending the fundamental rights of every Puerto Rican citizen. This fight is not just for our party; it is for everyone who believes in a transparent, fair, and pluralistic system.”

DP Secretary General Nilda Pérez Martínez said: “This grave setback will not go unnoticed. We will take our voice to every corner of the island, advocating for the principle of electoral equality that we hold dear.”

“We urge all Puerto Ricans to join this demand for democratic justice,” she added. “Today more than ever, Puerto Rico needs strong and determined voices to challenge attempts to consolidate power in the hands of a few.”