UN panel of experts releases preliminary report on the elections of 28Jul

The United Nations (UN) panel of experts published a preliminary report on its position regarding the elections of July 28, in which the National Electoral Council (CNE) announced President Nicolás Maduro as the winner over opposition candidate Edmundo González.

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“The government campaign dominated state media, with very limited access for opposition candidates. Numerous restrictions on the right to run for public office remained in place for several prominent political figures,” the report, which consisted of 16 points, reads at the beginning.

UN: “CNE did not comply with transparency measures”

In one of the points of the report, the panel concluded that the CNE “failed to comply with the basic measures of transparency and integrity” within the framework of the development of “credible elections.”

“In the Panel’s experience, the announcement of the result of an election without the publication of its details or the disclosure of tabulated results to the candidates is unprecedented in contemporary democratic elections,” the statement said.

However, the commission stressed that the atmosphere during the vote was predominantly peaceful and “logistically well organised.” It noted the enthusiasm of voters despite long waiting times and reports of last-minute changes of polling stations.

Protected mechanism for the transmission process

“The electronic transmission of results worked well initially, but was abruptly stopped in the hours after the polls closed, with no information or explanation provided to the candidates at the time, or to the Panel. At the time of announcing the results, the President of the CNE stated that a terrorist cyberattack had affected the transmission and caused a delay in the tabulation process,” the report noted.

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Authorities cooperated until polls closed, UN says

In another part of the statement, the experts highlighted the cooperation and deployment of the Venezuelan authorities. They also reported that they were able to interact with a large number of interlocutors, and were able to follow the main stages of the process until the polls closed.

“The panel also maintained a constructive dialogue and positive exchanges with the CNE until the polls closed on July 28. After that moment, the Panel, unfortunately, and despite a request sent by verbal note, was not able to meet with the CNE Board of Directors before its departure.“the panel ruled.

They also stated that they took note of the reports indicating that More than 20 people died and more than 1,000 people were arrested.

The organization’s commission, made up of four electoral experts, noted that it was present from the end of June until August 2, within the framework of the Barbados Agreement of October 2023.

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