He Carter Center, which participated as an observer in the presidential elections of Venezuelastates that the process “was not adequate” to the international parameters and standards of electoral integrity, so “cannot be considered democratic.”
“The Carter Center cannot verify or corroborate the authenticity of the presidential election results declared by the National Electoral Council (CNE) from Venezuela,” the Carter Center said in a statement.
The international organization dedicated to conflict resolutionstressed that the electoral body, which has declared the official Nicolás Maduro the winner with more than two million votes still to be counted, does not announce the results broken down by table, which “constitutes a serious violation of electoral principles.”
Explain the Carter Center what the electoral process “has not met international standards of integrity” at any of its relevant stages and has violated numerous provisions of national legislation.”
According to the Carter Center, the elections in Venezuela “they were not democratic” since they were developed “in an environment of restricted freedoms to the detriment of political actors, civil society organizations and the media.”
In addition, during the process, the CNE authorities “showed bias in favor of the ruling party and against opposition candidates.”
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He added that, the The updating of the voter register “was carried out with numerous inconveniences”, such as “very short deadlines, relatively few registration places and a minimal public information and dissemination campaign”.
The problem, he added, “was aggravated abroad, where citizens faced excessive, even arbitrary, legal barriers to registering abroad.”
In addition, he assured, the registration of parties and candidates “It also did not meet international standards” and, in recent years, opposition groups “have suffered judicial interventions to the detriment of their socially and politically most powerful leaders” recognized to benefit people close to the government, influencing the formation of their candidacies.”
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The organization also recalled, “even more importantly,” that the registration of the candidacy of the main opposition forces “was subject to the discretion of the electoral authorities who adopted decisions without respecting basic legal principles.”
Venezuelan electoral campaign “in favor of the government”
The Carter Center noted that The electoral campaign took place “with a notable imbalance in favor of the Government” in all fields. The official candidate had very ample resources, which resulted in a great disproportion of rallies, murals, billboards and posters in their favour.”
He also noted the “abuse of public resources,” including the use of vehicles, the mobilization of officials for the campaign, and the use of social programs.
They point out persecution and intimidation
The official candidate, he explained, “had preponderance” on television and radio. in advertising, broadcasting events and information and the authorities “tried to restrict” opposition campaigns, “including the persecution and intimidation of persons who provided services“anti-Chavez politicians” to create a deterrent effect.
Massive participation despite obstacles
Yet, add the document, Venezuelan citizens mobilized massively and peacefully on July 28 to express their preferences and the voting day “took place in a civil manner, despite restrictions on access to the premises for national observers” and “party witnesses.”
The organization that works for democracy and human rights, also He criticized the “pressure on the electorate” with “government party control points in the vicinity of the precincts to verify voter attendance.”
Carter Center observers “verified the willingness of Venezuelan citizens to participate in a democratic electoral process and demonstrated their civic commitment as polling station members, party witnesses and observers.”
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2024-08-11 16:18:55
