NGOs denounced the difficulties that Venezuelans faced in registering for the RE

Various Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), including Alerta Venezuela, Espacio Público and Voto Joven, raised their voices to denounce the difficulties that Venezuelans have had to face in order to register or update their data in the electoral registry abroad in view of the presidential elections on July 28, which affected approximately 25% of the country’s voting population.

“By arbitrarily depriving Venezuelans abroad of the right to vote, the State also affected the rights to freedom of opinion and political participation of nearly 25% of the Venezuelan voting population,” these NGOs indicated in their most recent report.

This report states that “The Venezuelan State arbitrarily restricted the human right to vote in conditions of equality and non-discrimination to the detriment of all Venezuelans abroad with the ability to vote, which number at least 4,485,470 Venezuelans with residence permits and other regular stays.”, as highlighted by El Nacional.

They also stated that The current context undoubtedly violates everything stipulated in the American Convention on Human Rights (ACHR) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

They also denounced the embassies, which requested from Venezuelan citizens abroad requirements such as a valid passport, in addition to proof of permanent residence in the country that welcomed them.

They stressed that the law stipulates that the only requirement to be able to register or update the data of the Electoral Registry is the identity card..

Another of the limitations they have had to face is related to the reduction in operating time at embassies and consulates.

They also pointed out that Of the 7,722,579 Venezuelan migrants and refugees in the world, estimated by the UN, only 6,528 were able to register and update their data in the RE.