An independent group of election experts has confirmed the validity of the tally sheets produced during Venezuela’s recent presidential election, asserting that these documents support the opposition’s claim of Nicolás Maduro’s defeat. The Carter Center emphasized the effectiveness of the electronic voting system and the importance of the paper trail, while the opposition continues to insist on electoral transparency amid governmental disputes regarding the election’s legitimacy.
An independent group of election specialists has validated the tally sheets presented by Venezuela’s opposition as evidence of Nicolás Maduro’s electoral defeat. During a conference with the Organization of American States, experts from the U.S.-based Carter Center declared that the electronic voting system used in the country functioned effectively, asserting that various stakeholders, including the ruling party, are aware of the electoral truth. The Carter Center’s findings arose out of the July 28 election, which Maduro’s administration claimed resulted in his victory, although they did not substantiate their claims with data. The controversy revolves around approximately 30,000 tally sheets, known as actas, providing crucial insights into the election results. These sheets are produced by the electronic voting machines and can be obtained by representatives of participating parties as evidence of the votes cast. While electoral authorities loyal to the ruling party declared Maduro the winner shortly after the polls closed, they failed to release a detailed breakdown of the voting data, citing website issues from a purported hacking incident. Conversely, the opposition successfully acquired tally sheets from over 80% of the voting machines and published these documents online. The government responded by disputing the authenticity of these sheets and initiating an investigation into opposition members, including their candidate, Edmundo González. Jennie Lincoln, who presided over the Carter Center’s mission to monitor the election, emphasized the significance of the paper trail provided by the electronic voting system. She noted that thousands of poll watchers from both the opposition and the ruling party collected this evidence. However, she refrained from declaring González as the election’s victor, stating that the responsibility to announce election results rests with the electoral authorities. Lincoln mentioned that the Carter Center had recently received tally sheets via international mail but did not disclose the sender’s identity or further details regarding the records. In light of the findings, the Organization of American States, along with various governments, has called for Venezuela’s electoral authorities to release comprehensive voting information. This session was arranged at the request of several member states including Argentina, Costa Rica, Panama, the U.S., Guatemala, Guyana, Peru, the Dominican Republic, and Ecuador.
The electoral landscape in Venezuela has been contentious, particularly surrounding the legitimacy of Nicolás Maduro’s presidency. Following elections denounced by the opposition and various international observers as suspect, there is an ongoing effort to challenge the official narrative presented by the government. The use of electronic voting systems, combined with the physical evidence of electoral outcomes in the form of tally sheets, has become a focal point in the struggle for transparency in Venezuelan elections. The invitation extended by the Maduro administration to independent observers such as the Carter Center indicates a potential recognition of the need for scrutiny in the electoral process amidst growing allegations of electoral fraud.
The findings presented by the Carter Center provide significant validation to the opposition’s claims concerning the vote in the recent Venezuelan presidential election. As independent experts endorse the authenticity of the tally sheets, the pressure mounts on electoral authorities to disclose comprehensive voting data. The lack of transparency has raised significant concerns, prompting calls for accountability from various international stakeholders. The ongoing discourse around this election highlights the broader implications for democracy in Venezuela and the urgent need for credible election oversight.
Original Source: www.cbsnews.com
