According to a report published The Department of Electoral Cooperation and Observation (DECO) of the Organization of American States (OAS) has declared that the result of the Venezuelan presidential election of July 28, 2024 is not acceptable. The report, addressed to the Secretary General of the OAS, Luis Almagro, details the irregularities and structural problems that affected the electoral process, casting doubt on the credibility of the elections.
Election results and immediate reactions
The National Electoral Council (CNE) declared Nicolás Maduro the winner of the election, stating that he obtained 51.2% of the vote while his main rival, Edmundo González, obtained 44.2%. However, according to the OAS report, there are discrepancies between these official figures and independent assessments such as exit polls and citizen verifications that showed a clear advantage for González.
The CNE announcement came six hours after polls closed, without providing details of the results or giving access to official tally sheets. The report criticizes the CNE for calling the results “irreversible” despite mathematical errors and a lack of transparency.
Systematic intimidation and repression
The recent report by the Organization of American States (OAS) reveals a scheme orchestrated by the Maduro government to disrupt the electoral process using tactics such as scaremongering, political oppression, and the disqualification of opposition candidates. The case of María Corina Machado, a prominent opposition leader who was barred from participating despite winning the primary elections, a decision widely perceived as politically motivated, is concerning.
Prior to the elections, more than 135 arbitrary arrests were documented in the report, many of which targeted individuals affiliated with the opposition. The air was thick with apprehension, marked by incidents of violence, enforced disappearances, and harassment against supporters of opposing parties. On election day itself, there were reports of intimidation, such as government factions being observed near polling places.
Lack of transparency and access to observation
The OAS report underscores the importance of transparency in elections, noting that the CNE prevented the two international observers from effectively monitoring electoral procedures. Although some civil society organizations were granted observer status with the CNE, they were denied access to electoral observation missions such as those of the European Union and the Carter Center.
In addition, the report highlights that the CNE refused to allow opposition witnesses to enter polling stations, contributing to a loss of confidence in the electoral process. Despite these obstacles, local observers noted that opposition witnesses were present in 90% of polling stations.
Electoral manipulation and clientelism
The report details how the Maduro administration used government resources to gain an advantage in elections, such as offering aid in exchange for political support. This tactic, combined with the lack of rules on campaign financing, gave the ruling party an unfair advantage.
In addition, the OAS report expressed concerns about the lack of autonomy within the CNE, noting that its members have ties to the Maduro government. This situation has undermined the credibility of the electoral commission. Casting doubt on its ability to oversee impartial and transparent elections.
Call for responsibility
Based on evidence of irregularities, the OAS has determined that the official results of the Venezuelan presidential elections lack credibility and should not be recognized as reflecting democratic principles. The report underscores the need for transparency in the disclosure of voting results and calls for global accountability measures against the actions of the Maduro government.
Amid protests in Venezuela over election results, the OAS findings underscore the ongoing struggle for democracy within the nation. The Venezuelan people, who have shown determination to exercise their democratic freedoms, now face an uncertain future as government authority is strengthened and dissent is repressed.
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