Validation of Tally Sheets by Independent Experts Raises Questions on Venezuela’s Electoral Integrity

Independent election experts from the Carter Center confirmed the validity of tally sheets provided by Venezuela’s opposition, indicating that President Nicolás Maduro lost the recent presidential election. Although the ruling party claimed victory, they failed to publish detailed results and faced challenges regarding transparency. The Carter Center’s findings underscore the importance of reliable election data as the international community demands accountability from Venezuela’s electoral authorities.

Independent election experts have validated the tally sheets presented by Venezuela’s opposition, reinforcing claims that President Nicolás Maduro lost the July presidential election. The Carter Center, a U.S.-based independent group, provided this endorsement during a session with members of the Organization of American States (OAS), stating that the electronic voting system functioned correctly and that all parties involved are aware of the actual results. Despite the ruling party’s declaration that Maduro won, which was announced shortly after the polls closed without supportive evidence, opposition leaders successfully acquired and published over 80% of the tally sheets from the electronic voting machines used in the election. The Venezuelan electoral authorities did not release the detailed results due to alleged hacking of their website, whereas the opposition claims about the validity of their tally sheets have led to inquiries against them. Jennie Lincoln, leading the Carter Center’s mission, emphasized that the voting system’s paper trail serves as proof of the electronic reports, as confirmed by numerous polling witnesses from both the opposition and the ruling party itself. The Carter Center received the tally sheets through international mail but did not identify the sender, leaving many questions regarding the electoral process in Venezuela. The need for transparency in publishing detailed voting data has been reiterated by several governments and international organizations.

The situation in Venezuela regarding the presidential election is complex, with significant disputes surrounding the validity of the election results announced by the ruling party. The July election saw President Nicolás Maduro’s victory contested by the opposition, who have presented substantial evidence in the form of tally sheets. These tally sheets serve as a critical component of the electoral process in Venezuela, acting as a paper trail for the electronic voting results. The Carter Center and other independent observers were invited by the government to monitor the election, adding an impartial lens to the contested electoral claims. Additionally, the lack of published detailed results from the electoral authorities has intensified scrutiny and calls for accountability in Venezuela’s electoral process.

In summary, independent election experts have affirmed the legitimacy of the tally sheets from Venezuela’s recent presidential election, supporting the opposition’s assertion that President Maduro lost. The validation comes in light of inconclusive evidence provided by the ruling party and raises significant concerns regarding the transparency and integrity of the electoral process in Venezuela. The international community has called for the publication of detailed voting data, highlighting the need for accountability in governance and electoral integrity.

Original Source: apnews.com