Venezuela’s Election Was Deeply Flawed. Here’s How.

Venezuela’s recent election has come under intense scrutiny from international observers, who have raised serious concerns about the fairness and transparency of the process. Opposition parties and civil society organizations have also raised alarms about irregularities and violations of electoral laws.

The election, which took place on November 21st, was to elect governors and mayors across the country. However, from the outset, there were reports of voter intimidation, violence, and manipulation by the ruling party, the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), led by President Nicolas Maduro.

One of the most glaring issues with the election was the lack of independent oversight. The National Electoral Council (CNE), which is responsible for overseeing elections in Venezuela, is widely seen as biased towards the government. The CNE has been accused of manipulating electoral rolls and arbitrarily disqualifying opposition candidates, making it nearly impossible for them to compete on a level playing field.

Another major concern was the use of state resources to benefit the ruling party. Reports have emerged of government officials using public funds and resources to campaign for PSUV candidates, effectively giving them an unfair advantage over their rivals. This kind of abuse of power not only undermines the credibility of the election but also violates the principles of free and fair competition.

Furthermore, there were reports of irregularities at polling stations on election day. Many voters reported being turned away or having their votes tampered with, leading to doubts about the accuracy of the results. In some cases, opposition candidates were declared winners only to have their victories overturned later by the CNE, raising suspicions of fraud and manipulation.

Overall, the deeply flawed nature of Venezuela’s recent election has further eroded trust in the country’s democratic institutions. The international community, including the United Nations and the Organization of American States, have called for an independent investigation into the allegations of fraud and irregularities. It is crucial that the Venezuelan government take these concerns seriously and take steps to restore confidence in the electoral process.

In the meantime, opposition parties and civil society organizations must continue to push for accountability and transparency in future elections. The people of Venezuela deserve to have their voices heard and their votes counted in a free and fair manner. Until that happens, the legitimacy of Venezuela’s democracy will remain in question.