Mali, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau Seek Venezuelan Election Advice
Mérida, April 9th 2009 (Venezuelanalysis.com) — The governments of Mali, Senegal, and Guinea-Bissau invited the president of Venezuela's National Electoral Council (CNE), Tibisay Lucena, to consult with them about the improvements to Venezuela's electoral system since President Hugo Chávez was elected a decade ago.
CNE President Tibisay Lucena travelled to these countries this week "to share the experience that Venezuela has accumulated over the past ten years with our friends," she said.
Lucena and the president of Mali, Amadou Toumani Touré, signed a bilateral cooperation agreement to exchange information, experiences, and technical knowledge on electoral matters over the next two years.
The agreement is based "on the principles of equality, reciprocal advantage, mutual respect, and sovereignty,"said Lucena. "Both parts commit themselves to all necessary cooperation to promote and facilitate the realization of electoral assistance."
International observers have consistently praised Venezuela's electoral system for its organization, fairness, transparency, efficiency, and inclusiveness. Elections have been verified as free and fair by the Organization of American States, the European Union, and the US-based Carter Center.
Last year, Venezuela carried out its first completely automated election, using a dual system of electronic voting machines and a hand-counted paper voting receipt system.