Venezuelan Petition Drive for Referenda Described as “A Process that’s Unique in the Hemisphere”

Caracas, Nov. 24 (Venezuelanalysis.com) The signature drive to request recall referenda on 38 National Assembly deputies who oppose the government of Hugo Chavez, ended without major incidents, and it was highly praised by international observers.

Pro-Chavez Venezuelans sign petitions to request recall refernda on opposition National Assembly deputies. Photo credit: GPO.

The process started last Friday, and the opposition will collect their signatures to request a recall referendum on Chavez’ mandate starting this Friday until Monday of next week.

“We have seen a process of good citizenship, tranquility and serenity”, said Carter Center representative Jennifer Mc Coy, after meeting with the directory of the Electoral National Council.

“A process without precedent”

After a meeting with the directory of the Electoral National Council (CNE), Mc Coy congratulated them for their role in the process, and indicated that this one was a process without precedent for them as observers and for the world.

The Carter Center is part of a several international organizations that came to Venezuela to oversee the signature collection drive to request recall referenda on National Assembly deputies and on President Chavez. The Carter Center and the Organization of American States (O.A.S.) sent 50 observers.

Carter Center representative Jennifer Mc Coy talks to on of the persons who singed the petitions in Caracas. Photo credit: Venpres.

Mc Coy expressed satisfaction with the way that the local media has covered the signature collection process. Both government and opposition leaders have expressed satisfaction with the pause in the political battle between state media and the powerful privately owned media.

“A process with unique characteristics in the hemisphere”

In a joint statement, the Organization of American States and the Center Carter, emphasized the good citizenship and the commitment of the Venezuelan people with democratic ideals, demonstrated during the 4 days of the signature collection process to request recall referenda on 38 opposition National Assembly deputies.

According to the statement, the CNE, the political parties and civil society organizations have demonstrated their capacity and efficiency in the ordered and transparent handling of thins process, which has fortified the confidence and credibility in Venezuela’s institutional system.

“The Army fulfilled its mission with the implementation of the Plan Republic [military deployment to help in electoral processes] in a professional manner, offering citizens the guarantees necessary to express their will freely,” said the statement.

Some people had to wait in long lines in order to stamp their signatures. Photo credit: GPO.

The process was done “under a general atmosphere of tranquility and great civic maturity, reinstating before the international community, the commitment of the Venezuelan people with democratic ideals.”

The only irregularities detected by the observers were some delays in the opening of several collection centers due to lack of coordination and logistical problems during the first day of the process.

The O.A.S. and the Carter Center congratulated the Venezuelan people for finishing in an ordered fashion, the first phase of a process with unique characteristics in the hemisphere.