Independent election experts from the Carter Center have validated tally sheets claimed by Venezuela’s opposition, asserting these documents support their allegations of President Nicolás Maduro’s election defeat. Despite the ruling party’s early proclamation of victory, the opposition’s collection of over 80% of voting machine records intensifies the dispute over the election’s legitimacy.
In a significant development concerning Venezuela’s recent presidential election, an independent group of election experts has validated the tally sheets presented by the opposition, asserting that these documents substantiate claims of President Nicolás Maduro’s defeat. This confirmation was articulated by representatives of the U.S.-based Carter Center during a session convened by the Organization of American States (OAS), aimed at addressing disputes arising from the election held on July 28. The Carter Center, alongside another independent panel, was invited by the Venezuelan government to monitor the electoral process. While electoral authorities proclaimed Maduro the winner without providing detailed evidence, the opposition managed to collect tally sheets from over 80% of the voting machines, which they subsequently made available online. The government has contested the authenticity of these records, initiating investigations against opposition members, including their candidate Edmundo González.
The dispute pertaining to Venezuela’s presidential election revolves around the critical reliance on tally sheets, locally known as ‘actas.’ These printouts, generated by electronic voting machines, are traditionally viewed as definitive proof of election results within Venezuela. Each of the approximately 30,000 voting machines used disseminated multiple tally sheets. While the ruling party declared Maduro victorious soon after the polls’ closure, they did not publish machine-specific results due to alleged technical disruptions. The opposition coalition, however, successfully obtained and released the tally sheets they collected from numerous polling stations, further intensifying the dispute with the government.
In conclusion, the validation of the opposition’s tally sheets by the Carter Center highlights the contention surrounding the 2024 Venezuelan presidential election. The call for the publication of detailed voting data by various nations underscores the international scrutiny of the electoral process. This development raises questions about the integrity of the electoral authority’s declaration of victory and the legitimacy of the information provided to the Venezuelan public.
Original Source: apnews.com
