Venezuela welcomes international observers for presidential elections

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
27 Jul 2024 11:38
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Venezuela's National Electoral Council president emphasizes the crucial role of national and international observers in the presidential elections.

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(L to R) Dominican former President Leonel Fernandez, Colombian former President Ernesto Samper, and the president of the National Electoral Council (CNE), Elvis Amoroso, are pictured before a private meeting at the CNE headquarters in Caracas on July 26, 2024. (AFP)

Venezuela's National Electoral Council (CNE) on Friday welcomed both international and national observers who will oversee the presidential election process on July 28.

Ten candidates are running for the election, with the competition limited mostly to incumbent President Nicolas Maduro and the opposition's Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia – a former ambassador who has never held public office.

Speaking from Plaza Caracas, CNE President Elvis Amoroso emphasized the crucial role of national and international observers in the presidential elections.

Amoroso stressed that Venezuela's Electoral Power is the most efficient and organized in the world, highlighting the significant efforts of the country's electoral authorities.

Days before the presidential elections, over 1,000 international observers have arrived in #Venezuela to monitor the electoral process. Hear their insights and impressions of the voting system, renowned for its safety and reliability.@Marwa__Osman @SeanBlackmon9… pic.twitter.com/xf7bJOXUXt
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) July 26, 2024

He also condemned the international communication campaign by the far right aimed at discrediting the upcoming presidential elections.

Amoroso assured that all actions outlined in the electoral timetable have been executed with the necessary transparency.

Additionally, the Venezuelan official mentioned that in June, the CNE invited the ten presidential candidates and the entity's leaders to sign a document pledging to recognize the election results.

Eight candidates agreed to sign the document, he confirmed

Amoroso urged respect for the presence of international observers in the country.

Autoridades electorales dan la bienvenida a Veedores Nacionales e Internacionales para la Elección Presidencial 2024. https://t.co/2uRndXXJpo #CNE🇻🇪 #Rumboal28dejulio pic.twitter.com/vVDAVL38XE
— cneesvenezuela (@cneesvzla) July 26, 2024

Meanwhile, CNE Vice President Carlos Quintero underscored the importance of observers understanding the Venezuelan electoral system.

He praised the work of international and national electoral experts who have participated in various audits of the electoral system during the pre-election phases.

"Tomorrow you will be able to witness the installation of polling stations throughout the national territory and on Sunday, July 28, the great democratic festival of our country," Quintero indicated.

The Venezuelan capital of Caracas witnessed on Friday the conclusion of Maduro's extensively supported presidential campaign, with the closing of the campaign organization period for the July 28 elections.

In his concluding speech, Maduro affirmed that "the far-right will be defeated in the elections, and the people will win once again," noting that the opposition is set to suffer an irreversible blow.

He also said he would call for a national, political, cultural, economic, and social discussion that includes all Venezuelan societal groups without any foreign intervention, saying he "does not want anyone to mess with Venezuela" right after the announcement of the election results on July 29.

On his part, far-right candidate Edmundo Gonzalez concluded his campaign by urging his supporters to vote, saying "July 28 represents a day for new beginnings, love instead of hate, prosperity instead of poverty, and honesty instead of corruption."