The observation mission of the European Union (EU) identified “persistent structural deficiencies” in the elections of governors and mayors on Sunday in Venezuela, although he recognized “better conditions” that brought the major opposition political parties back to the polls.
“The electoral process showed the persistence of structural deficiencies, although electoral conditions improved compared to the three previous national elections, “indicates the preliminary report, delivered this Tuesday by the EU to the National Electoral Council (CNE) and the Foreign Ministry before making it public.
While “the Venezuelan electoral framework meets most basic international standards, our mission has been able to verify the lack of judicial independence, the non-adherence to the rule of law and that some laws affected the equality of conditions, the balance and the transparency of the elections, “said the head of the delegation of observers of the block, the Portuguese Isabel Santos.
Santos announced that he will return to Venezuela “at the end of January, beginning of February to present the final report” of his mission.
Isabel Santos, head of the European mission in Venezuela. Reuters photo
The ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) won the vast majority of positions in voting in which the main opposition political parties returned to the polls after refusing to participate in the 2018 elections, in which President Nicolás Maduro was reelected, and those of 2020, in which Chavismo regained control of Parliament.
They denounced them, then, as “fraudulent” processes.
Details
Santos highlighted, among the improvements, the appointment of new electoral authorities, which turned Sunday’s voting into “a first and crucial test for the return of the majority of the opposition parties to the electoral competition in Venezuela.”
However, he listed irregularities.
The bell “it was marked by the extensive use of state resources” for the support of candidates, without there being “sanctions for violations,” Santos said.
The EU envoy also highlighted that “there have been arbitrary disqualification of candidates by administrative means and control of their symbols and electoral cards have been suspended or withdrawn from the leaders and most recognized members of some parties. “
Chavista leader Diosdado Cabello speaks during a press conference of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela. Photo EFE
He thus referred to judicial decisions that handed over the leadership of the strongest opposition parties to rivals of Juan Guaidó, a leader recognized since 2019 as president in charge of Venezuela by fifty countries without having been able to displace Maduro from power.
Report
Santos also said that EU observers witnessed the establishment of illegal checkpoints “by the ruling party, called” red dots “, in the vicinity of the voting centers.
Further regretted the death by gunshot wound of a voter in a voting center, in an event that the Venezuelan authorities said was “isolated” from the election.
In contrast, regarding the new National Electoral Council (CNE) appointed for these votes with the presence of opposition leaders despite continuing to be dominated by the ruling party, Santos stated that it was about “the most balanced electoral administration that Venezuela has had in the last 20 years. “
He specified that he must “be reinforced in its sanctioning powers” to ensure compliance with regulations and avoid violations such as those identified on Sunday.
These choices marked the return of international observers to Venezuela, after decades of absence in which the authorities invited only countries or organizations related to Chavismo.
The European Union, which had not been working on an election in Venezuela for 15 years, was part of a mission of 130 delegates deployed since October 28. There was also the presence of experts from the United Nations and the Carter Center.
AFP Agency
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