Independent election experts from the Carter Center have legitimized tally sheets presented by Venezuela’s opposition, claiming they prove President Nicolás Maduro lost the election held on July 28. Despite the ruling party declaring Maduro the victor, opposition secured over 80% of voting data and published it online, prompting government allegations of fraud. The lack of detailed official voting results has spurred further investigation and demands for transparency from the international community.
In a significant development regarding the contentious presidential election in Venezuela, independent election experts convened by the U.S.-based Carter Center have affirmed the legitimacy of tally sheets presented by the opposition. These documents are seen as evidence supporting claims that President Nicolás Maduro was defeated in the election held on July 28. During a session with the Organization of American States (OAS), expert Jennie Lincoln conveyed to diplomats that the electronic voting system employed during the election functioned correctly and that both the ruling party and various other parties involved were aware of the actual results. The dispute primarily revolves around thousands of tally sheets, known in Venezuela as actas, which are typically accepted as definitive proof of election outcomes. In this instance, the electronic voting machines used in the election produced multiple copies of these sheets, which representative members from participating parties are entitled to collect to verify results against what is reported to the National Electoral Council (CNE). Despite the ruling party’s electoral authorities declaring Maduro the winner shortly after the polls closed, they did not disclose a breakdown of how each voting machine performed, citing alleged hacking of their website as the reason. Meanwhile, the opposition coalition reported that they managed to obtain tally sheets from over 80% of the voting machines and made them publicly accessible online. In contrast, the government has disputed the authenticity of these records and initiated investigations into opposition members, including Edmundo González, the coalition’s candidate. On this occasion, Ms. Lincoln emphasized, “The voting system is electronic, but it offers a paper trail – proof of what the electronic machine reports – and that is what was collected by tens of thousands of poll watchers, not just from the opposition, but also from the government party, the PSUV, that also has the same information.” She refrained from outright declaring the election’s outcomes, reinforcing that the ultimate responsibility lies with the electoral authorities. Despite repeated calls from the OAS and several governments for the Venezuelan electoral authorities to publish detailed voting information, no such action has been taken as of yet.
This article discusses the aftermath of the July 28 presidential election in Venezuela, a highly contentious event characterized by disputes over the legitimacy of results favoring President Nicolás Maduro. The opposition claims to have amassed evidence through tally sheets that contradict the government’s assertions of victory. The Carter Center’s involvement adds credibility to the discussion as they are well-respected election observers. The lack of transparency regarding the voting results has intensified scrutiny from various governments and organizations.
In conclusion, the recognition of the opposition’s tally sheets by independent election experts presents a significant challenge to the Venezuelan government’s narrative of a legitimate victory for President Maduro. This situation underscores the ongoing political tensions in Venezuela and the vital importance of transparency in electoral processes. The call for detailed publication of voting data remains a critical point for the international community, as the implications of these elections extend beyond Venezuela’s borders.
Original Source: apnews.com
