Independent experts from the Carter Center confirmed the legitimacy of opposition-provided tally sheets from Venezuela’s recent presidential election, suggesting Nicolás Maduro’s defeat. They emphasized the reliability of the election’s electronic voting system and highlighted the absence of detailed results published by electoral authorities as a significant issue. Calls for transparency from the Organization of American States follow the opposition’s claims.
An independent group of election experts, tasked with observing the presidential election in Venezuela held on July 28, has confirmed the legitimacy of vote tally sheets presented by the opposition as evidence of Nicolás Maduro’s defeat. In a session with the Organization of American States (OAS), experts from the U.S.-based Carter Center validated the functionality of the electronic voting system and stated that various stakeholders, including the ruling party, are aware of the election’s true outcome. The Carter Center’s representative, Jennie Lincoln, emphasized that the election data is substantiated by 30,000 electronic voting machines that produced tally sheets, akin to receipts, which are essential for verifying election results in Venezuela. While electoral authorities affiliated with Maduro declared him the victor shortly post-election, they did not release detailed voting results—a standard practice in previous elections—citing a website hack as the reason. Conversely, the opposition coalition succeeded in obtaining and publishing tally sheets from more than 80% of voting machines. In response, the government dismissed these records as fraudulent and initiated investigations against opposition members, including candidate Edmundo González. During the session, Lincoln explained, “The voting system is electronic, but it offers a paper trail – proof of what the electronic machine reports,” underscoring the utilization of these records gathered by thousands of poll watchers, including those from the ruling party, PSUV. She refrained from declaring a winner, stating, “observers do not pronounce elections” as that responsibility lies with electoral authorities. The Carter Center received the tally sheets recently through international mail, although details regarding the sender remained undisclosed. The OAS and several member states have urged Venezuela’s electoral officials to publish comprehensive voting data, emphasizing the importance of transparency.
In Venezuela, electoral integrity has been a subject of significant debate and contention, particularly surrounding presidential elections. The method of voting incorporates advanced electronic systems alongside a crucial paper trail known as tally sheets. These sheets are vital for substantiating the official results of elections and are typically distributed to poll watchers from both the ruling party and opposition. Disputes following the elections often revolve around the transparency and accessibility of these tally sheets. The reported actions of the government around the recent election, including a failure to release detailed results and claims of hacking, have intensified scrutiny over the electoral process, prompting interventions from international observers and organizations such as the OAS and the Carter Center. Their involvement provides an independent assessment aimed at clarifying the electoral outcomes and addressing concerns about election credibility.
In conclusion, the validation of the opposition’s tally sheets by independent experts signifies a crucial development in the ongoing controversy surrounding Venezuela’s presidential election. The Carter Center’s acknowledgment of the electronic voting system’s effectiveness and the existence of a verifiable paper trail highlights the implications for electoral transparency and integrity. The refusal of electoral authorities to publish detailed results further complicates the situation, necessitating continued international attention and calls for accountability in Venezuela’s electoral practices.
Original Source: www.cbsnews.com
