- Citizens can help to expose possible patterns of electoral process violations linked to abuses and other irregularities during the presidential elections
In electoral processes, acts that are considered irregularities or crimes can be recorded and reported. These are all those actions that harm or endanger the transparency of the electoral function and undermine the characteristics of the vote, which must be universal, free, direct, personal and secret.
A person who is a victim or witness of an electoral crime can file a complaint with organizations such as Transparencia Venezuela, a non-governmental organization (NGO) in the country dedicated to investigating crimes related to corruption.
In the case of the official channel, the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) reported that it has enabled a channel to receive possible complaints of irregularities, without using the term “electoral crime.”
What qualifies as an electoral crime?
Transparencia Venezuela mentions that electoral crimes range from arbitrary migrations of voting centers; as well as the installation of partisan points in the vicinity of the electoral centers that confuse the voters and violate their right to vote.
Also an electoral crime is propaganda on the day of the election event; coercion to vote; obstruction of the work of witnesses; manipulation of the vote through the use of benefits from social programs, offering bonuses or threats to suppress these rights.
The misuse of public assets or political proselytism in state institutions are other common abuses during electoral processes.
Electoral Process Law and propaganda
Article 75 of this law prohibits publicly funded propaganda, as does Article 221 of the Regulation.
How to report a possible electoral crime?
Transparencia Venezuela has a communication channel that offers citizens the possibility of accessing the Dilo Aquí team of lawyers.
Dilo Aquí is a program that aims to receive possible complaints and irregularities of electoral crimes, as well as to obtain legal advice on the actions that could be taken and before which organizations and, if possible, receive support in the process of filing a formal complaint with the authorities.
People can access Dilo Aquí through the app, available on iOS and Android, or by email [email protected] or WhatsApp number +58 0412-3122629.
In view of the elections of #28JulKeep alert!
📢 You can report electoral crimes at #SayItHere.
Download the app or contact us via email 📧 [email protected] and WhatsApp 📲 +584123122629.
For transparent elections! #YouHaveVoiceWithSayItHere pic.twitter.com/OHGLRsziIp
— Transparency Venezuela (@NoMasGuiso) July 20, 2024
What information is requested to proceed with a complaint for an electoral crime?
The report can be made anonymously. However, it is necessary that, on election day, the citizen specifies the polling station where the possible electoral crime occurred.
If the complainant does not wish to remain anonymous, he or she will be asked for his or her name, ID number and email address.
Official reporting channels
The Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) announced on July 22 that it has set up a directory of emergency numbers to report alleged irregularities during the presidential elections on July 28 in Venezuela.
Without political bias
The Magna Carta establishes in its article 145 that public officials are at the service of the State and not of any political bias.
The publication does not detail what may be considered an irregularity during the electoral process, nor does it mention the term “electoral crimes.”
Below are the emergency numbers:
CANTV
-(0212) 663 0083
-(0212) 663 0160
-(0212) 663 0320
-(0212) 663 0435
-(0212) 663 0522
Movilnet
-(0426) 516 5276
-(0416) 543 0114
-(0416) 543 0112
-(0416) 543 0106
-(0416) 615 7904
Movistar
-(0414) 901 5531
Citizen participation in electoral days
Representatives of Voto Joven and Toma el Control, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that provide support and advice in the defense of the vote in Venezuela, have spoken out about the importance of citizens in defending the vote.
Mariandreina Montilla, representing Voto Joven, reminded Venezuelans of the importance of support and denunciation, always with appropriate guidance. At the forum “Rescatemos la Democracia” (Let’s Rescue Democracy), held on Tuesday, July 23 in Caracas, she stressed the need to be informed when defending oneself and urged them not to fall into provocations.
“Let’s carry out citizen monitoring. Reporting is important in the electoral context,” Montilla said.
Journalist and activist Luis Carlos Díaz, in a virtual conversation with other specialists organized by the Probox platform, highlighted that in recent years the ways of communicating in electoral contexts have evolved. He pointed out that, due to various obstacles imposed by those in power, citizens have developed new strategies to avoid being prevented from accessing independent information.
“Blocks on social media have had no effect on people’s voting intentions; on the contrary, they have encouraged them to participate even more,” said Díaz.
Social media also serves as a mechanism for reporting potential electoral irregularities, even if unofficially. Through photos, videos and testimonies, users can document irregularities and disseminate information quickly and widely, helping to generate greater oversight and transparency both nationally and internationally.
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2024-07-24 14:37:57
