Vicente Díaz, the former rector of the National Electoral Council, asserted that there is no way to determine whether Nicolás Maduro won the presidential elections on July 28th.
During an interview with the private channel Televen, Díaz indicated that any doubts could only be clarified if the Chavistas provided the electoral records, a demand that they have yet to meet.
The electoral authority has not released the detailed results by each voting table and has also ignored an order from the Electoral Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice that confirmed, through a questionable process, Maduro’s supposed victory.
“There is no way to know (if Maduro won the elections) until the results are published table by table,” the former rector remarked.
He pointed out that while the CNE declared the results, it did not issue a complete bulletin. Therefore, it is impossible to ascertain whether the announced figures reflect the true will of the citizens as expressed at the voting tables.
“There were witnesses who know what transpired, the issue is that they cannot compare this with the official narrative, which states that Nicolás Maduro won, yet there is no indication of the source of the votes. They must come from voting tables, with electronic votes backed by manual voting receipts,” he explained.
Edmundo González claimed victory with 67% of the votes: opposition
The democratic opposition, which named Edmundo González Urrutia as its presidential candidate, published the electoral records they managed to gather on a website, despite the intimidation faced from Chavista militants and members of Plan República. In total, they managed to share with Venezuelans and the global community 83.50% of the receipts.
According to this information, Edmundo González Urrutia received 7,303,480 votes (67%), while Maduro barely attained 3,316,142 votes (30%).
However, Chavismo accuses the opposition of falsifying the records, yet they hesitate to publish the records that should be held by the witnesses from the United Socialist Party of Venezuela and other political organizations that supported the red candidacy.
Independent journalism relies on the support of its readers to continue and to ensure that uncomfortable news remains accessible. Today, with your help, we will keep working diligently for journalism free from censorship!
Support El Nacional
Vicente Díaz, former rector of the National Electoral Council. Photo: AFP
Vicente Díaz, the former rector of Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE), has recently raised serious questions regarding the legitimacy of Nicolás Maduro’s presidential victory announced on July 28. In an interview with the private channel Televen, Díaz stated, “There is no way to know if Nicolás Maduro won the presidential elections.” His skepticism centers around the Chavistas’ refusal to present the electoral records, which are crucial for verifying the integrity of the election process.
Lack of Transparency in Electoral Process
Díaz emphasized that the only way to dispel the doubts surrounding the election results is for the ruling party to provide complete access to the electoral records. He pointed out that the electoral body has not released the results, broken down table by table, despite orders from the Electoral Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice, which confirmed Maduro’s alleged victory.
“There is no way to know (if Maduro won the elections) until they publish the results table by table,” Díaz stated. This glaring lack of transparency has led to widespread distrust among voters. The CNE has been criticized for announcing results without a formal bulletin, which would reflect the true voting outcomes. As Díaz aptly noted, “It is not possible to know whether the announced data correspond to the will of the citizens” who cast their votes.
Discrepancies and Controversies
Díaz also highlighted the issues around electoral witnesses stating, “There were witnesses who know what happened, the problem is that they cannot contrast it with the official truth.” This raises significant concerns about the credibility of the election process. He argues that the results must come from voting tables verified by both electronic and manual voting methods.
Opposition Claims Victory for Edmundo González
In stark contrast to the official narrative, the democratic opposition, which endorsed Edmundo González Urrutia as its presidential candidate, claims a decisive victory. Despite facing considerable intimidation from Chavista militants, the opposition managed to compile and publish electoral records. They claim to have collected and shared 83.50% of the voting receipts from across the country.
Vote Distribution According to Opposition
According to the data released by the opposition, the electoral results look as follows:
| Candidate | Votes Obtained | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Edmundo González Urrutia | 7,303,480 | 67% |
| Nicolás Maduro | 3,316,142 | 30% |
Counterclaims from the Government
Despite the opposition’s assertions, Chavismo has accused the opposition of falsifying electoral minutes. However, they have not presented any evidence or published results from the voting tables under the control of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela and its allied organizations. This absence of information exacerbates the uncertainty surrounding the election legitimacy.
The Importance of Electoral Integrity
The integrity of elections is critical in any democratic system. In Venezuela, where political turbulence is a constant reality, transparent elections are essential for restoring faith in the electoral process and the government. The uncertainty surrounding Maduro’s victory highlights the need for comprehensive electoral reforms and greater accountability from the CNE.
Understanding Voter Sentiment
Venezuelan voters have expressed deep frustration with the current political landscape. Many citizens feel that their votes do not count when there is a lack of transparency and accountability from election authorities. The recent claims by the opposition and the government’s refusal to publish comprehensive results further alienate the electorate.
Practical Tips for Voters
In the face of these challenges, voters can take the following steps to stay informed and engaged:
- Stay Updated: Follow independent news sources and platforms that promote transparent journalism to get accurate information about election processes and events.
- Participate Actively: Engage in community discussions, forums, and civic groups that foster dialogue about electoral integrity and democracy.
- Advocate for Transparency: Support initiatives and organizations advocating for greater transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
Case Studies of Non-Transparent Elections
The situation in Venezuela is not unique; numerous countries have faced similar challenges regarding electoral integrity. Learning from these case studies can provide insights into how to advocate for better electoral practices. Here are a few examples:
1. Zimbabwe
In the 2018 elections, allegations of vote rigging and intimidation marred the electoral process. Despite international calls for transparency, the government’s refusal to release comprehensive results led to widespread unrest.
2. Belarus
The contested presidential elections in Belarus in 2020 led to mass protests. The government’s suppression of evidence and failure to provide clear electoral data further fueled public distrust.
3. Russia
Repeated accusations of electoral fraud in Russia have raised questions about the validity of government claims regarding election outcomes. Observers have often highlighted discrepancies between official results and independent evaluations of voter sentiment.
First-Hand Experiences
Gathering first-hand accounts from voters and election observers can provide a deeper understanding of the electoral climate in Venezuela. Many citizens report feeling disenfranchised and express skepticism towards both the ruling party and opposition factions. These narratives are essential for garnering public support for electoral reform and transparency initiatives.
Independent journalism needs the support of its readers to continue and ensure that uncomfortable news that they don’t want you to read remains within your reach. Today, with your support, we will continue working hard for censorship-free journalism!
Support El Nacional
