Smartmatic, which previously condemned Venezuela for electoral fraud, claimed it halted operations in the country but evidence suggests its software continued to be utilized in subsequent elections. Allegations of deception and subsequent legal issues regarding bribery further complicate the company’s standing.
Smartmatic, an electronic voting company, was vocal in its condemnation of the Venezuelan socialist government for alleged electoral fraud following the 2017 elections. Subsequently, it declared an end to its electoral operations in Venezuela after 13 years of service. However, documents from Venezuela’s National Electoral Council, retrieved by the Miami Herald, indicate that Smartmatic’s technology was utilized in three subsequent elections, including the disputed municipal elections of December 2017 and the presidential elections of May 2018, without public acknowledgment of its involvement. Sources with insider knowledge stated that to conceal Smartmatic’s participation, officials opted to employ a third-party company, Ex-Cle, which reportedly engaged Smartmatic’s technicians to assist with the software setup for the elections. An audit for the election software preceding the 2018 presidential election showed that Smartmatic’s staff were present to facilitate these processes, despite claims from the company denying involvement in Venezuelan elections post-2017. Although Smartmatic initially insisted that its software had not been employed since its withdrawal, subsequent revelations confirmed the use of its technology during the 2017 regional and municipal elections. Smartmatic contended that their software could not be classified as authentic since the company asserted it was not involved in the entire process of implementation and oversight. Furthermore, the company has denied any clandestine actions regarding its software licensing, attributing its withdrawal and decisions to threats and coercive circumstances surrounding its relationship with the Venezuelan government. Additionally, a confidential report noted that substantial payments were made to Smartmatic through Ex-Cle, heightening scrutiny of their operations and financial dealings with the Venezuelan regime. The controversy surrounding Smartmatic deepened recently with allegations of bribery tied to securing contracts for election services in the Philippines, which led to indictments against the company’s founder and executives.
Smartmatic was founded in 2000 by Venezuelans and initially gained prominence by replacing Ecuador’s voting machines during Hugo Chavez’s presidency. It represented a significant technological advancement in the electoral process. However, during the 2017 National Constituent Assembly elections in Venezuela, Smartmatic accused the government of manipulating voter turnout data, resulting in a fractured relationship between the company and the Venezuelan government. Subsequently, Smartmatic announced its withdrawal from the country, claiming it would cease all electoral services. Regardless, investigations reveal that despite the official withdrawal, Smartmatic’s systems continued to be integrated into subsequent electoral processes, raising questions about transparency and accountability in Venezuela’s electoral practices. The recent legal troubles of Smartmatic executives in relation to foreign bribery further compound the complexity of the company’s operations and reputation on an international scale.
In summary, Smartmatic’s assertion of withdrawing from Venezuela without ongoing involvement in electoral processes has been contradicted by documented evidence showing its software’s continued use in key elections following its exit. The company’s attempts to obscure its participation through third-party collaborations, alongside ongoing legal challenges regarding corruption linked to other international contracts, have cast significant doubts on its operational integrity and ethical standing. The implications of Smartmatic’s activities reflect broader concerns regarding the credibility of elections in authoritarian states.
Original Source: www.miamiherald.com
