International Observers Present Report on Venezuelan Parliamentary Elections

Mérida, December 9, 2020 (venezuelanalysis.com) – The International Observation Committee to Venezuela’s National Assembly (AN) elections delivered its final report on Monday.

Nicanor Moscoso, president of the Latin American Council of Electoral Experts (CEELA), recognized the results of the elections given by the National Electoral Council (CNE) and stressed the efficiency of the electoral process’ extensive audit system.

“We have verified that the 2019 dialogue round table has given positive results with an increased citizen confidence in political organizations and candidates,” Moscoso said at the presentation.

The CEELA’s participation began two months ago, with its members partaking in the 13 audit processes prior to elections, focusing on aspects such as the electoral registry, data, software and voting notebooks.

The Argentinean­ delegation likewise acknowledged the robustness of Venezuela’s electronic voting system.

Marina Urrizola from the Observatory of Latin American Affairs stressed that all the political parties participated in every audit, certifying the results. “This only happens in Venezuela,” she stressed, while also praising the biosecurity protocols put in place by electoral authorities.

CNE President Indira Alfonzo recalled that 200 international observers from 17 countries visited polling centers and witnessed the whole process on December 6.

The Committee rejected foreign interference and “declarations of non-recognition from the United States, Canada and the European Union, who decided not to send electoral observation missions after having been invited to audit and observe elections with all guarantees.”

Washington, Brussels and allied countries have refused to recognize the AN elections, having endorsed calls by hardline opposition sectors for a boycott.

The Russian electoral observation delegation headed by Konstantin Kosachev of the Federation Council Committee for International Affairs held a meeting with President Nicolas Maduro at Miraflores Palace on Monday.

“There is no argument, no basis to cast doubt on the results of the electoral process,” Kosachev assured reporters.

The international observation mission also included former Presidents Evo Morales of Bolivia, Rafael Correa of Ecuador and Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero of Spain.

On Sunday, more than 6 million voters elected 277 deputies for the National Assembly. According to the latest results released by the CNE the Great Patriotic Pole including the ruling PSUV party achieved 69.32 percent of the valid votes cast and 253 deputies. The largest opposition bloc is the Democratic Alliance, with 18.80 percent and 18 deputies. Turnout stood at 30.5 percent of the electoral roll.

Edited by Ricardo Vaz from Mérida.