SEC certifies Torres Montalvo as mayor-elect of Cataño

Hiram Torres Montalvo was certified by the State Elections Commission on Monday as the mayor-elect of Cataño, following the completion of the general canvass of the special election held on Sunday. (Facebook via Hiram J Torres Montalvo)

By THE STAR STAFF

State Elections Commission (SEC) Chairman Jorge Rivera Rueda certified Hiram Torres Montalvo on Monday as the mayor-elect of Cataño, following the completion of the general canvass of the special election held on Sunday.

“With all stages of the electoral process for this special election now concluded, we are pleased that the proceedings took place without incident and with significant voter turnout that even exceeded projections,” Rivera Rueda said in a written statement.

Torres Montalvo, the island consumer affairs secretary, secured 1,733 votes, representing 46.03% of the valid votes cast.

Meanwhile, Bethzaida Rodríguez Torres received 1,487 votes (39.50%), Fernando Cintrón Mercado obtained 390 votes (10.36%), José Manuel Rodríguez Ocaña received 141 votes (3.75%) and Félix Matías obtained 14 votes (0.37%).

A total of 3,765 votes were tallied. Additionally, one write-in vote and four null ballots were recorded.

“I acknowledge and thank all the Commission officials who worked on this special election,” Rivera Rueda stated. “Without a doubt, they went the extra mile, remained on duty until the very end, and worked with commitment and integrity to assist every voter who came to the polling stations.”