Smartmatic announced its exit from Venezuela due to allegations of election fraud but was later revealed to have licensed its software for use in multiple elections in the country, including those held in December 2017 and May 2018. Evidence suggests that the company’s real involvement was disguised through third-party arrangements with another firm, Ex-Cle, which raises significant integrity questions about the Venezuelan electoral system. Smartmatic previously denied any involvement but adjusted its statements following investigations revealing its software’s continued use.
Smartmatic, the electronic-voting company, previously announced its withdrawal from Venezuela following allegations of election fraud by the government. However, recent investigations by the Miami Herald reveal that Smartmatic’s software continued to be utilized in subsequent elections in Venezuela, particularly in the municipal elections of December 2017 and the contested presidential election of May 2018. Documents acquired from Venezuela’s National Electoral Council indicate that Smartmatic licensed its software for these elections, albeit covertly, as Venezuelan officials sought to conceal Smartmatic’s involvement by employing a third-party company, Ex-Cle. Sources from within the electoral council confirmed that Smartmatic’s technicians were responsible for ensuring the software’s readiness for deployment in the voting machines, despite the company’s claims of non-involvement. The software audits showcasing Smartmatic’s participation lend further credence to these allegations. Following the controversial National Constituent Assembly elections in July 2017, when Smartmatic publicly condemned the Venezuelan electoral authorities for manipulating voter turnout figures, the company declared it would cease operations in Venezuela. Despite this withdrawal, evidence suggests that Smartmatic continued to play a significant role in the country’s electoral processes. In defending its stance, Smartmatic initially denied any post-withdrawal involvement in Venezuelan elections. However, upon being informed of the audits in possession of the Herald, the company shifted its narrative, asserting that while its software may have been used, it did not consider those versions authentic due to a lack of full participation in the election processes. Smartmatic’s officials later emphasized the coercive nature of their relationship with the Venezuelan government, stating that their actions were conducted under duress. Furthermore, the U.S. government has imposed sanctions targeting specific entities, including Ex-Cle, in response to fraudulent elections facilitated by the Maduro administration. Smartmatic, originally founded in Venezuela, has faced further scrutiny following federal charges against its associates involving foreign bribery to secure contracts in the Philippines. These developments expose a complex web of electoral manipulation and raise significant concerns regarding the integrity of the electoral process in Venezuela and the responsibilities of companies providing essential technologies for such elections.
Smartmatic is an electronic-voting company founded in 2000 in Venezuela. It gained prominence when it replaced the country’s voting machines in time for Hugo Chavez’s reelection in 2004. The company has faced controversy regarding its involvement in alleged electoral fraud in Venezuela, particularly during the 2017 National Constituent Assembly elections, after which it announced a cessation of its operations in the country. Despite this, it has been documented that Smartmatic’s software was used in subsequent elections, raising questions about the authenticity of the voting processes and the operational integrity of the company.
The revelations concerning Smartmatic’s continued involvement in Venezuelan elections post-withdrawal call into question the integrity of electoral processes in countries facing governance issues. The use of Smartmatic software, notwithstanding its public disavowal of engagement in such elections, presents a significant concern for stakeholders advocating for fair electoral practices. Additionally, the recent federal scrutiny faced by Smartmatic regarding international bribery allegations further complicates its reputation as a provider of reliable electoral technology.
Original Source: www.miamiherald.com
