- The NGO warned that the use of public republics favors “political bias” | Photo: EFE
The Venezuelan Electoral Observatory (OEV) denounced on Friday, July 19, the lack of control mechanisms by the ruling party over the use of public resources for the dissemination of propaganda during the campaign taking place in the country, in view of the presidential elections on July 28.
“Although public funding of politically motivated organizations is prohibited in Venezuela, in practice there are no mechanisms that prevent the ruling party from benefiting from state assets and resources, especially in election years,” the non-governmental organization (NGO) said in a bulletin.
Ten candidates will compete in next week’s elections, including President Nicolás Maduro, backed by the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV).
According to the OEV, the use of public resources “favored a political bias, which not only violates the current electoral law, but also the Anti-Corruption Law.”
Previous complaints
On Tuesday, July 16, candidate Enrique Márquez denounced the “abuse and use of public resources for the campaign” of Maduro, for which reason he demanded that the National Electoral Council (CNE) investigate the origin of the funds used for this candidacy.
Márquez pointed out, as examples of this “abuse”, the “thousands of billboards, the hundreds of thousands of banners and the thousands of other murals that have been painted” in the country. In addition, the television commercials broadcast one following another on all national television channels and “in advertising” on the YouTube platform, all focused on promoting Maduro’s candidacy.
On the other hand, workers of the state-owned company Corporación Venezolana de Guayana (CVG) in Bolívar reported on Thursday, July 18 that active personnel were offered a payment of 150 dollars to attend official meetings.
“They have us scared, they have us subjugated and they tell us that if we leave, we are out (…) Everyone has to fight for a better country, that their work is worth what it is worth,” said one of the protesters in a video published by journalist Francesca Díaz on X (formerly Twitter).
#18Jul | Workers of the Venezuelan Corporation of Guayana (CVG), in Bolívar, reported that active personnel were offered a payment of 150 dollars to attend official meetings.
Workers warned that they are afraid of being fired if they do not go to work… pic.twitter.com/Zfw0Ci81UB
— The Daily (@eldiario) July 18, 2024
80% of the deployed OEV observers saw pro-Maduro propaganda
The NGO also noted that nearly 80% of the 674 observers it recently deployed across the country saw “propaganda in favor” of Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, “during inauguration ceremonies, public events with unions, graduations and home deliveries.”
In addition, 68% said they had witnessed or known that officials from governorates or mayors accompanied campaign activities.
On the other hand, 50% reported that public officials campaigned in their workplaces, using their position to support a candidate.
With information from EFE
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2024-07-20 04:36:56
