Venezuelan Electoral Observatory denounces abuse by Maduro regarding the use of public resources in the campaign

The NGO Venezuelan Electoral Observatory (OEV) denounced this Friday the lack of control mechanisms for Nicolás Maduro over the use of public resources for the dissemination of propaganda during the campaign for the presidential elections on July 28.

In a bulletin, the non-governmental organization indicated that, although public financing of organizations with political purposes is prohibited in the country, in practice there are no mechanisms that prevent the ruling party from benefiting from State assets and resources, especially in election year.

Ten candidates will compete in next week’s elections, including Nicolás Maduro, backed by the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV).

According to the OEV, the use of public resources “favored political bias, which not only violates the current electoral law, but also the Anti-Corruption Law.”

The NGO also noted that about 80% of the 674 observers it recently deployed throughout the country saw “propaganda in favor” of Maduro, in power since 2013, “during some inauguration of works, public events with unions, graduations and housing deliveries«.

Additionally, 68% said “having witnessed or known that government or mayoral officials accompanied campaign activities» and 50% recorded that public officials «They campaigned at their workplaces, using their position in favor of a candidate«.

Last Tuesday, the opposition presidential candidate Enrique Márquez denounced the “abuse and use of public resources for the campaign” of Maduro, for which he demanded that the National Electoral Council (CNE) investigate the origin of the funds used for this candidacy.

The opponent pointed out, as examples of this “abuse”, the “thousands of billboards”, the “hundreds of thousands of banners” and the other “thousands of murals that have been painted” in the country, as well as the “television spots.” » broadcast «one after another on all national» television channels and «in advertising» on the YouTube platform, all focused on promoting Maduro’s candidacy.