Ever since the election of Hugo Chávez as president of Venezuela on December 6, 1998 in apparent defiance of U.S. hegemony in Latin America, the United States Government has made innumerable attempts to destabilize and even forcibly overthrow the elected Government of Venezuela. Over the course of 25 elections since 1998, among the most extensive exercises in electoral processes in the Americas, the U.S. has increasingly decried these elections to be “fraudulent” and “illegitimate” despite earlier more balanced reports by international observers, including the Organization of American States, the United Nations, the Carter Center.
The Kyrgyz Republic held parliamentary elections in October 2020 that were marred by accusations of corruption. This led to protests, the resignation of President Jeenbekov, and the interim appointment of Sadyr Japarov as acting president. A new presidential election was then scheduled for January 2021. The report documents several human rights issues in the country including torture by law enforcement, poor prison conditions, restrictions on free expression and media, and impunity for violence against women. While some officials were prosecuted for corruption, widespread impunity remained a problem.
This document analyzes the economic effects of political opposition to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. It finds that voters who signed petitions to recall Chavez from office experienced a 5% drop in earnings and a 1.5 percentage point drop in employment rates after their identities were made public in the Venezuelan government's Maisanta database. The database matched voter registration records with signers of recall petitions and was allegedly used by the Chavez regime to target political opponents. This provides evidence that signing the petitions had real economic costs for voters due to potential punishment by the government.
The document provides a global update on key human rights events and issues from January to May 2010. It summarizes developments in different regions of the world, including progress and setbacks in accountability, threats to civilian protection from conflicts and natural disasters, concerns over the death penalty, and restrictions on civil and political rights in several countries.
American Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development is indexed, refereed and peer-reviewed journal, which is designed to publish research articles.
Jennifer Hsu
Data Sources:
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey
U.S. Census Bureau, Public Use Microdata Sample
Regional Economic Model, Inc. (REMI)
Département d'Etat: Rapport sur la Situation des Droits Humains en République...Stanleylucas
Ce rapport de 35 pages du Département d'Etat présente la situation des droits humains en république Dominicaine en 2016. Les violations des droits des Dominicains d'origines Haïtiennes et des Haïtiens sont présentes dans ce rapport.
Ittai Bar Siman Tov "Israeli Response" - Second GPN Global Webinar "COVID-19....GLOBAL PANDEMIC NETWORK
Second GPN Global Webinar "COVID-19. SUPERNATIONAL, NATIONAL AND REGIONAL RESPONSES. BUILDING RESILIENCE THROUGH COMPARISON OF EXPERIENCES" - March 5th 2021
Professor Ittai Bar Siman Tov - "Israeli response"
GPN: https://www.globalpandemicnetwork.org/
Official GPN webinar web page:https://www.globalpandemicnetwork.org/news_events/webinar-5th-march-2021/
The Kyrgyz Republic held parliamentary elections in October 2020 that were marred by accusations of corruption. This led to protests, the resignation of President Jeenbekov, and the interim appointment of Sadyr Japarov as acting president. A new presidential election was then scheduled for January 2021. The report documents several human rights issues in the country including torture by law enforcement, poor prison conditions, restrictions on free expression and media, and impunity for violence against women. While some officials were prosecuted for corruption, widespread impunity remained a problem.
This document analyzes the economic effects of political opposition to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. It finds that voters who signed petitions to recall Chavez from office experienced a 5% drop in earnings and a 1.5 percentage point drop in employment rates after their identities were made public in the Venezuelan government's Maisanta database. The database matched voter registration records with signers of recall petitions and was allegedly used by the Chavez regime to target political opponents. This provides evidence that signing the petitions had real economic costs for voters due to potential punishment by the government.
The document provides a global update on key human rights events and issues from January to May 2010. It summarizes developments in different regions of the world, including progress and setbacks in accountability, threats to civilian protection from conflicts and natural disasters, concerns over the death penalty, and restrictions on civil and political rights in several countries.
American Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development is indexed, refereed and peer-reviewed journal, which is designed to publish research articles.
Jennifer Hsu
Data Sources:
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey
U.S. Census Bureau, Public Use Microdata Sample
Regional Economic Model, Inc. (REMI)
Département d'Etat: Rapport sur la Situation des Droits Humains en République...Stanleylucas
Ce rapport de 35 pages du Département d'Etat présente la situation des droits humains en république Dominicaine en 2016. Les violations des droits des Dominicains d'origines Haïtiennes et des Haïtiens sont présentes dans ce rapport.
Ittai Bar Siman Tov "Israeli Response" - Second GPN Global Webinar "COVID-19....GLOBAL PANDEMIC NETWORK
Second GPN Global Webinar "COVID-19. SUPERNATIONAL, NATIONAL AND REGIONAL RESPONSES. BUILDING RESILIENCE THROUGH COMPARISON OF EXPERIENCES" - March 5th 2021
Professor Ittai Bar Siman Tov - "Israeli response"
GPN: https://www.globalpandemicnetwork.org/
Official GPN webinar web page:https://www.globalpandemicnetwork.org/news_events/webinar-5th-march-2021/
This document summarizes the human rights situation in Colombia based on a United Nations report from July 2008. It finds that serious and systematic human rights violations by state forces and paramilitary groups continue, including extrajudicial killings, torture, arbitrary detentions and forced displacement. The government denies the existence of an internal armed conflict despite the facts on the ground. It pursues a "democratic security" policy that prioritizes military force over human rights and fails to dismantle paramilitary groups or their links to state forces. Peace negotiations with guerrilla groups are also blocked in favor of a military solution.
The Opioid Crisis: The Important Role of CPAsPYA, P.C.
The document summarizes a presentation on the opioid crisis and the role of CPAs. It provides an overview of the scope and history of the crisis, describes recent case examples of fraud and abuse, and outlines affected industries and risk areas that require internal controls monitoring. It also discusses what CPAs can do to help address the crisis, such as focusing on the flow of money, monitoring drug costs, investigating physician payments from pharmaceutical companies, and ensuring compliance to avoid litigation.
Pakistan's candidacy for membership on the UN Human Rights Council should be rejected according to this document. The document provides several examples to support this claim, including that Pakistan does not cooperate with UN human rights experts, fails to protect freedoms of the press and expression, and violates the rights of religious minorities, women, and children. The document also notes Pakistan's negative voting record on UN resolutions related to human rights.
The Threat of the covid‑19 pandemic to human rightsRula alsawalqa
The document discusses how Jordan responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects on human rights. While Jordan largely contained the spread of the virus, the government's response faced criticism for undermining rights like freedom of expression. Labor rights were also threatened as weaknesses in Jordan's labor market and social protections were exposed. The pandemic exacerbated issues like unemployment, reduced wages, and lack of coverage for many workers. Going forward, Jordan needs to ensure its emergency measures do not infringe on basic rights and adopt a human rights-based approach for future crises.
Voter turnout declined in the 2012 US presidential election compared to 2008 and 2004, dropping from 62.3% in 2008 to an estimated 57.5% in 2012. While the number of eligible voters increased by over 8 million, the total number of votes cast declined by about 5 million. Turnout decreased across most states for both Republican and Democratic voters. States with competitive races saw higher turnout on average compared to other states. The report analyzed trends in voter registration and turnout over time and found mixed signs as to whether the 2012 decline signals a return to longer-term downward trends in participation or was a temporary setback.
Dit rapport is onderdeel van de perskit van http://www.freedomhouse.org/ - 42Bis deelt dit slechts hier om het gemakkelijk toegankelijk te kunnen maken.
OSD Risk Assessment Report-Herat Afghanistan Arif Herawi
summarized the finding of the Risk Assessment (RA) project covering targeted communities which includes all of significant natural hazard, vulnerabilities, capacities and risk data and information required for the development of a comprehensive DRR Project Proposal.
Analysis of important topics on justice, human rights, rule of law, good governance, anti-corruption, civil society in Moldova.
Among the covered topics:
• 2019 POB: Moldovans Dissatisfied with Anticorruption Efforts, Have The Highest Confidence in the Church
• Chişinău International Airport—the “Generator” Of Criminal Cases with an Unknown Beneficiary
• Constitutional Court Judges Must Be Held Liable, but in What Conditions?
• Despite a Nine-Year Prison Sentence, Vlad Filat Released after Only Four Years
• Republic of Moldova Among the European Countries Where Justice is Done Fastest
Subscribe for the newsletter here: www.crjm.org
Democracy North Carolina analyzed election data and found that 2008 saw record voter turnout and participation in North Carolina. Same-day voter registration allowed nearly 250,000 people to register and vote at the same time. Early voting was also highly popular, with over 2.6 million people voting early, accounting for 61% of all voters. Both same-day registration and early voting helped boost turnout among groups like African Americans that have historically participated at lower rates. The increases in voter participation in 2008 helped elect the first female governor and record numbers of women to other state offices.
Impact of Perceived Electoral Fraud on Haitian Voter’s Beliefs about Democracy MSL Médias
The document summarizes the findings of a survey conducted in Haiti before and after the country's 2015 presidential election. The survey found that voter's stated presidential choices did not match the official results announced by the electoral council. Specifically, nearly 40% of respondents said they voted for Jude Cèlestin while only 6% said they voted for Jovenel Moïse, who the council declared the winner. The survey also found that voter's faith in the democratic process decreased after the results were announced, correlated with experiences of fraud and intimidation. Overall, the survey results suggest inconsistencies between the official results and voter preferences that undermined faith in the electoral process.
Everything you need to know about the Corona virus transformation from stage 1 to killing stage and overall overview of Corona virus Average daily cases from all over the world you and global economic crisis
National Voter Registration Act: A Fact Sheetcoryhelene
While the United States has come a long way in expanding the franchise over the past 220 years, barriers to participation still exist and these barriers disproportionately impact low-income citizens. In 2008, over 11 million low-income adult citizens remained unregistered to vote and the registration between low-income and high-income citizens was over 19 percentage points.
Research by Demos and its partners demonstrates that the compliance gaps found in states such as Missouri, North Carolina and Virginia reflect a nationwide problem.
The document provides an overview of the humanitarian situation in Ukraine as of November 2015. It estimates that 3.1 million people in Ukraine need humanitarian assistance due to the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine. The conflict has resulted in civilian deaths and injuries, massive displacement, and damage to housing and infrastructure. While violence has reduced since a ceasefire in February 2015, the humanitarian needs remain acute, especially for those living near the contact line. Emergency needs include water, food, health and shelter. Access to basic services has also been severely impacted.
The document discusses Botswana's efforts to establish an integrated national population register through organically linking birth, death, and national identity records. It notes that 72% of births are currently registered, but some groups like orphans and those in remote/rural areas face barriers. Initiatives aim to reach the remaining 28% through campaigns, mobile registration, and registering births directly in hospitals. The ultimate goal is a secure, universal digital identity system supported by complete civil registration.
Brazil 2015: A Perfect Storm Derails President Rousseff's AgendaMSL
President Dilma Rousseff's approval rating plummeted from 46% to 12% in her first three months in office due to an economic crisis and political mistakes. A "perfect storm" of factors including corruption scandals, budget cuts, and growing protests have greatly weakened Rousseff's administration and agenda. While calls for impeachment and military intervention have emerged, Brazil's institutions remain intact and most experts believe the situation will ultimately be resolved through existing constitutional means. However, the political and economic outlook for Brazil remains uncertain.
Monitoring the impact of the economic crisis on crime final-1UN Global Pulse
Executive summary of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) research: “Monitoring the Impact of the Economic Crisis on Crime,” conducted as part of UN Global Pulse’s Rapid Impact and Vulnerability Assessment Fund (RIVAF). For more information: http://www.unglobalpulse.org/projects/rapid-impact-and-vulnerability-analysis-fund-rivaf
Hurricane Sandy caused widespread damage along the East Coast in late October. The federal government and affected states mobilized relief efforts while also continuing preparations for the November elections. The document also summarizes domestic economic data and foreign policy discussions between Secretary Clinton and international leaders on issues including Iran, Syria, Libya and Ukraine.
The Constitutional Court of South Africa considered whether to confirm an order from the High Court declaring sections of South Africa's citizenship laws unconstitutional. The High Court had found that sections 2(1)(a) and 2(1)(b) of the South African Citizenship Act were invalid for failing to recognize citizenship acquired by descent prior to 2013 and only applying prospectively. It ordered the sections to be read in to include those omissions. The Constitutional Court declined to confirm the High Court's order, finding the reasons provided for the constitutional invalidity were sparse. It then engaged in its own analysis of the citizenship law and applicants' circumstances.
The Office of Intergovernmental and Public Liaison newsletter from June 2008 highlights:
- Attorney General Mukasey visited New Orleans and reaffirmed DOJ's commitment to rebuilding the city's justice system after Hurricane Katrina.
- AG Mukasey honored fallen law enforcement heroes during National Police Week.
- DOJ welcomed McGruff the Crime Dog and announced 43 new prosecutors to combat technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation crimes.
- AG Mukasey commemorated National Missing Children's Day and urged international cooperation to curb methamphetamine production.
The document summarizes the 2015 human rights report for Equatorial Guinea. It describes numerous human rights violations throughout the country, including arbitrary arrest and detention, unlawful detention of children, and repression of fundamental freedoms. It provides details on lack of due process, suppression of freedom of expression and assembly, violations of children's rights, and restrictions on freedom of movement. Political opponents faced harassment, arrest, and banishment, while security forces committed abuses against civilians with impunity.
Venezuela Alert for free, fair and competitive elections (Report #22, September 2013):
PARTISAN USE OF THE STATE TV SIGNAL
By: Monitoreo Ciudadano/ @yomonitoreo
THE NATIONAL ELECTORAL COUNCIL AT THE SERVICE OF THE PSUV
By: Liderazgo y Visión
STATE VS. CIVIL SOCIETY
By: Un Estado de Derecho
NGO REPORTS: OMBUDSMAN OF THE PEOPLE IS NOT INDEPENDENT
By: Espacio Público
SHORTAGE OF NEWSPRINT JEOPARDIZES CIRCULATION OF REGIONAL NEWSPAPERS
By: Espacio Público
FIGHTING CORRUPTION OR ATTACKING THE POLITICAL ENEMY
By: Transparencia Venezuela / @nomasguiso
NEWS: TSJ REMAINS SILENT ON ELECTORAL MIGRATIONS
Taken from the newspaper El Universal
CITIZENS´ SECURITY: A PRIORITY FOR THE STATE´S FINANCIAL PLAN?
Rapport observation electorale oea haiti 2017Stanleylucas
On March 24, 2015, the Government of the Republic of Haiti extended an invitation to the Organization of American States (OAS) to observe the legislative, presidential, municipal, and local elections. To lead the Electoral Observation Mission (EOM), the OAS Secretary General appointed the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica, Enrique del Castillo (for the legislative elections held on August 9, 2015), the former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defense of Brazil, Celso Amorim (for the presidential election and runoff legislative elections held on October 25, 2015), and Ambassador Juan Raúl Ferreira of Uruguay (for the presidential, legislative, municipal, and local elections held on November 20, 2016 and January 29, 2017).
This report contains the observations and recommendations that came out of the five Electoral Observation Mission deployments and the visits made by the chiefs of mission and members of the Secretariat for Strengthening Democracy over an 18-month period.
This document summarizes the human rights situation in Colombia based on a United Nations report from July 2008. It finds that serious and systematic human rights violations by state forces and paramilitary groups continue, including extrajudicial killings, torture, arbitrary detentions and forced displacement. The government denies the existence of an internal armed conflict despite the facts on the ground. It pursues a "democratic security" policy that prioritizes military force over human rights and fails to dismantle paramilitary groups or their links to state forces. Peace negotiations with guerrilla groups are also blocked in favor of a military solution.
The Opioid Crisis: The Important Role of CPAsPYA, P.C.
The document summarizes a presentation on the opioid crisis and the role of CPAs. It provides an overview of the scope and history of the crisis, describes recent case examples of fraud and abuse, and outlines affected industries and risk areas that require internal controls monitoring. It also discusses what CPAs can do to help address the crisis, such as focusing on the flow of money, monitoring drug costs, investigating physician payments from pharmaceutical companies, and ensuring compliance to avoid litigation.
Pakistan's candidacy for membership on the UN Human Rights Council should be rejected according to this document. The document provides several examples to support this claim, including that Pakistan does not cooperate with UN human rights experts, fails to protect freedoms of the press and expression, and violates the rights of religious minorities, women, and children. The document also notes Pakistan's negative voting record on UN resolutions related to human rights.
The Threat of the covid‑19 pandemic to human rightsRula alsawalqa
The document discusses how Jordan responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects on human rights. While Jordan largely contained the spread of the virus, the government's response faced criticism for undermining rights like freedom of expression. Labor rights were also threatened as weaknesses in Jordan's labor market and social protections were exposed. The pandemic exacerbated issues like unemployment, reduced wages, and lack of coverage for many workers. Going forward, Jordan needs to ensure its emergency measures do not infringe on basic rights and adopt a human rights-based approach for future crises.
Voter turnout declined in the 2012 US presidential election compared to 2008 and 2004, dropping from 62.3% in 2008 to an estimated 57.5% in 2012. While the number of eligible voters increased by over 8 million, the total number of votes cast declined by about 5 million. Turnout decreased across most states for both Republican and Democratic voters. States with competitive races saw higher turnout on average compared to other states. The report analyzed trends in voter registration and turnout over time and found mixed signs as to whether the 2012 decline signals a return to longer-term downward trends in participation or was a temporary setback.
Dit rapport is onderdeel van de perskit van http://www.freedomhouse.org/ - 42Bis deelt dit slechts hier om het gemakkelijk toegankelijk te kunnen maken.
OSD Risk Assessment Report-Herat Afghanistan Arif Herawi
summarized the finding of the Risk Assessment (RA) project covering targeted communities which includes all of significant natural hazard, vulnerabilities, capacities and risk data and information required for the development of a comprehensive DRR Project Proposal.
Analysis of important topics on justice, human rights, rule of law, good governance, anti-corruption, civil society in Moldova.
Among the covered topics:
• 2019 POB: Moldovans Dissatisfied with Anticorruption Efforts, Have The Highest Confidence in the Church
• Chişinău International Airport—the “Generator” Of Criminal Cases with an Unknown Beneficiary
• Constitutional Court Judges Must Be Held Liable, but in What Conditions?
• Despite a Nine-Year Prison Sentence, Vlad Filat Released after Only Four Years
• Republic of Moldova Among the European Countries Where Justice is Done Fastest
Subscribe for the newsletter here: www.crjm.org
Democracy North Carolina analyzed election data and found that 2008 saw record voter turnout and participation in North Carolina. Same-day voter registration allowed nearly 250,000 people to register and vote at the same time. Early voting was also highly popular, with over 2.6 million people voting early, accounting for 61% of all voters. Both same-day registration and early voting helped boost turnout among groups like African Americans that have historically participated at lower rates. The increases in voter participation in 2008 helped elect the first female governor and record numbers of women to other state offices.
Impact of Perceived Electoral Fraud on Haitian Voter’s Beliefs about Democracy MSL Médias
The document summarizes the findings of a survey conducted in Haiti before and after the country's 2015 presidential election. The survey found that voter's stated presidential choices did not match the official results announced by the electoral council. Specifically, nearly 40% of respondents said they voted for Jude Cèlestin while only 6% said they voted for Jovenel Moïse, who the council declared the winner. The survey also found that voter's faith in the democratic process decreased after the results were announced, correlated with experiences of fraud and intimidation. Overall, the survey results suggest inconsistencies between the official results and voter preferences that undermined faith in the electoral process.
Everything you need to know about the Corona virus transformation from stage 1 to killing stage and overall overview of Corona virus Average daily cases from all over the world you and global economic crisis
National Voter Registration Act: A Fact Sheetcoryhelene
While the United States has come a long way in expanding the franchise over the past 220 years, barriers to participation still exist and these barriers disproportionately impact low-income citizens. In 2008, over 11 million low-income adult citizens remained unregistered to vote and the registration between low-income and high-income citizens was over 19 percentage points.
Research by Demos and its partners demonstrates that the compliance gaps found in states such as Missouri, North Carolina and Virginia reflect a nationwide problem.
The document provides an overview of the humanitarian situation in Ukraine as of November 2015. It estimates that 3.1 million people in Ukraine need humanitarian assistance due to the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine. The conflict has resulted in civilian deaths and injuries, massive displacement, and damage to housing and infrastructure. While violence has reduced since a ceasefire in February 2015, the humanitarian needs remain acute, especially for those living near the contact line. Emergency needs include water, food, health and shelter. Access to basic services has also been severely impacted.
The document discusses Botswana's efforts to establish an integrated national population register through organically linking birth, death, and national identity records. It notes that 72% of births are currently registered, but some groups like orphans and those in remote/rural areas face barriers. Initiatives aim to reach the remaining 28% through campaigns, mobile registration, and registering births directly in hospitals. The ultimate goal is a secure, universal digital identity system supported by complete civil registration.
Brazil 2015: A Perfect Storm Derails President Rousseff's AgendaMSL
President Dilma Rousseff's approval rating plummeted from 46% to 12% in her first three months in office due to an economic crisis and political mistakes. A "perfect storm" of factors including corruption scandals, budget cuts, and growing protests have greatly weakened Rousseff's administration and agenda. While calls for impeachment and military intervention have emerged, Brazil's institutions remain intact and most experts believe the situation will ultimately be resolved through existing constitutional means. However, the political and economic outlook for Brazil remains uncertain.
Monitoring the impact of the economic crisis on crime final-1UN Global Pulse
Executive summary of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) research: “Monitoring the Impact of the Economic Crisis on Crime,” conducted as part of UN Global Pulse’s Rapid Impact and Vulnerability Assessment Fund (RIVAF). For more information: http://www.unglobalpulse.org/projects/rapid-impact-and-vulnerability-analysis-fund-rivaf
Hurricane Sandy caused widespread damage along the East Coast in late October. The federal government and affected states mobilized relief efforts while also continuing preparations for the November elections. The document also summarizes domestic economic data and foreign policy discussions between Secretary Clinton and international leaders on issues including Iran, Syria, Libya and Ukraine.
The Constitutional Court of South Africa considered whether to confirm an order from the High Court declaring sections of South Africa's citizenship laws unconstitutional. The High Court had found that sections 2(1)(a) and 2(1)(b) of the South African Citizenship Act were invalid for failing to recognize citizenship acquired by descent prior to 2013 and only applying prospectively. It ordered the sections to be read in to include those omissions. The Constitutional Court declined to confirm the High Court's order, finding the reasons provided for the constitutional invalidity were sparse. It then engaged in its own analysis of the citizenship law and applicants' circumstances.
The Office of Intergovernmental and Public Liaison newsletter from June 2008 highlights:
- Attorney General Mukasey visited New Orleans and reaffirmed DOJ's commitment to rebuilding the city's justice system after Hurricane Katrina.
- AG Mukasey honored fallen law enforcement heroes during National Police Week.
- DOJ welcomed McGruff the Crime Dog and announced 43 new prosecutors to combat technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation crimes.
- AG Mukasey commemorated National Missing Children's Day and urged international cooperation to curb methamphetamine production.
The document summarizes the 2015 human rights report for Equatorial Guinea. It describes numerous human rights violations throughout the country, including arbitrary arrest and detention, unlawful detention of children, and repression of fundamental freedoms. It provides details on lack of due process, suppression of freedom of expression and assembly, violations of children's rights, and restrictions on freedom of movement. Political opponents faced harassment, arrest, and banishment, while security forces committed abuses against civilians with impunity.
Venezuela Alert for free, fair and competitive elections (Report #22, September 2013):
PARTISAN USE OF THE STATE TV SIGNAL
By: Monitoreo Ciudadano/ @yomonitoreo
THE NATIONAL ELECTORAL COUNCIL AT THE SERVICE OF THE PSUV
By: Liderazgo y Visión
STATE VS. CIVIL SOCIETY
By: Un Estado de Derecho
NGO REPORTS: OMBUDSMAN OF THE PEOPLE IS NOT INDEPENDENT
By: Espacio Público
SHORTAGE OF NEWSPRINT JEOPARDIZES CIRCULATION OF REGIONAL NEWSPAPERS
By: Espacio Público
FIGHTING CORRUPTION OR ATTACKING THE POLITICAL ENEMY
By: Transparencia Venezuela / @nomasguiso
NEWS: TSJ REMAINS SILENT ON ELECTORAL MIGRATIONS
Taken from the newspaper El Universal
CITIZENS´ SECURITY: A PRIORITY FOR THE STATE´S FINANCIAL PLAN?
Rapport observation electorale oea haiti 2017Stanleylucas
On March 24, 2015, the Government of the Republic of Haiti extended an invitation to the Organization of American States (OAS) to observe the legislative, presidential, municipal, and local elections. To lead the Electoral Observation Mission (EOM), the OAS Secretary General appointed the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica, Enrique del Castillo (for the legislative elections held on August 9, 2015), the former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defense of Brazil, Celso Amorim (for the presidential election and runoff legislative elections held on October 25, 2015), and Ambassador Juan Raúl Ferreira of Uruguay (for the presidential, legislative, municipal, and local elections held on November 20, 2016 and January 29, 2017).
This report contains the observations and recommendations that came out of the five Electoral Observation Mission deployments and the visits made by the chiefs of mission and members of the Secretariat for Strengthening Democracy over an 18-month period.
American Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development is indexed, refereed and peer-reviewed journal, which is designed to publish research articles.
Mercado, & Osuna1 Andrea Mercado (192676).docxtarifarmarie
Mercado, & Osuna 1
Andrea Mercado (192676)
Rafael Osuna (189895)
Professor: Dr. Martin A. Negrón
ANLY 515-51- R-2018/Spring - Risk Modeling and Assessment
April 5th, 2018
Risks of Venezuela’s 2018 Presidential Elections
1. Introduction.
Venezuela holds the world’s largest supply of crude oil which once accredited it with the
richest economy in Latin America. However, the nation has been dealing with the worst
economic and political crisis in the last 50 years. Particularly, the crisis hit a new level in 2015
when declining oil prices started to affect the economy of the nation aggravating the existing
social and political issues.
Nowadays, the nation is believed to have the world’s highest inflation with a rate greater
than 2,000% in 2017 and an expected rate of 13,000% in 2018. This hyperinflation is currently
causing the death of thousands of Venezuelans due to crime and the severe lack of food,
medicines, services, among other commodities.
The origins of this crisis can be traced back to the administration of the former president
of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, who was elected in 1998 and governed between 1999 and 2013
when he died from cancer complications. Just before passing away, Chavez personally advocated
for Nicolas Maduro asking his followers to elect him as his successor. That being said, Nicolas
Maduro was elected president of Venezuela in an unreliable election process in 2013. Since then,
he adopted the most controversial policies in the last 18 years which has caused Venezuela to be
categorized as one of the worst economies and most dangerous places in the world.
Mercado, & Osuna 2
Nicolas Maduro has control over 4 out of 5 of the main Venezuelan institutions. One of
them is the National Electoral Council (Consejo Nacional Electoral in Spanish) which agreed to
call extraordinary presidential elections in May 2018. As a consequence of the election’s settings
the opposition has decided not to participate in the process due to severe evidence of the National
Electoral Council bias in favor of Nicolas Maduro and his party. However, Henry Falcon, one of
the main politicians of the opposition, has decided to run against Maduro without the support of
his party that refuses to be part of the process to avoid legitimizing the current government.
Consequently, the international community has requested observation with no success.
Maduro has extended invitation to international observers such as the UN but there has been an
agreement about it due to the conditions of the process.
In addition, the United States, Canada, Panama, Australia, among other countries have
imposed sanctions to several Venezuela’s officials, including Maduro. The U.S. government in
particularly is conducting multiple investigations, including a case related to money laundering
against Alejandro Andrade, Venezuela’s former National Treasury, who has decided .
The document provides a summary of news events in Latin America from February to May 2014. Some of the key political topics discussed include elections in El Salvador and Colombia, as well as the ongoing political crisis in Venezuela with protests against the government. Social and criminal justice-related news included a mass murder in Honduras and Uruguay's decision to accept detainees from Guantanamo Bay prison. Cultural events summarized were protests against the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the death of author Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Environmental news recapped an earthquake that struck southern Mexico.
The document discusses various examples of voter fraud with mail-in ballots, including:
- A whistleblower in New Jersey described manipulating mail-in ballots by removing real ballots and replacing them with fraudulent ones for decades.
- Mail-in fraudsters targeted assisted living facilities and inactive/deceased voters.
- The Obama administration was accused of sabotaging elections in Nigeria to support same-sex marriage, which undermined efforts against Boko Haram.
- Examples from Zimbabwe, Austria, and the US were given showing how voter fraud has influenced election outcomes.
This document summarizes a submission by the Medical Whistleblower Advocacy Network (MWAN) to the United Nations regarding human rights issues in the United States. MWAN advocates for disabled individuals and others who have experienced human rights violations. They have represented cases before state agencies and the Department of Justice with mixed results. MWAN also faced human rights violations which forced them to relocate. The submission calls on the US to establish an independent office to investigate human rights complaints and protect defenders, strengthen Inspector General oversight, provide cross-training to address human rights issues, and ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Impact of Perceived Electoral Fraud on Haitian Voter’s Beliefs about Democrac...Radio Télévision Caraibes
Haiti’s presidential elections in October 2015 were reportedly marred by voting irreBurned Ballot in the Haiti electionsagularities and fraud. The results issued by the Provisional Electoral Council in early November are contested, with the country again gripped by widespread protest, organized violence and targeted killings.
An Igarapé Institute research team administered household surveys in 135 polling stations before and after the election to assess attitudes about the electoral process. The findings suggest an incompatibility between the declared result and the voting patterns of Haitian citizens. They also indicate the corrosive effects of electoral corruption on citizen attitudes and faith in the democratic process.
Exit Poll Illegal interdit par la loi electorale organise par AGARAPE pour so...Stanleylucas
Une organisation Brésilienne en violation du décret electoral d'Haiti a organise un exit poll pour soutenir son candidat a la Présidence. L'exit poll illégal ressemble a un document fabrique qui a pour objectif de ternir l'image des élections Haïtiennes. La méthodologie, le questionnaire, les noms des partenaires Haïtiens, les financement n'ont pas été dévoilés. On se souvient de la manipulation du brésilien Ricardo Seintefus, travaillant en Haiti en 2010 pour le compte de l'OEA qui était affilie au parti Haïtien INITE et Rene Preval qui avaient pour candidat a la présidence Jude Celestin. Ayant remarque que son allie Preval avait perdu les élections Seintefus lance une campagne de propagande politique pour saboter les élections.
Venezuela transitioned to democracy in 1959 after a dictatorship, establishing a two-party system that lasted until 1999. Known as the Punto Fijo system, it involved power-sharing between the AD and COPEI parties. However, over 40 years it became corrupt and excluded other groups, leading to democratic breakdown. Hugo Chavez rose to power in 1998 promising change, though his regime has been controversial with accusations of authoritarianism and failures to address inequality despite oil wealth. Venezuela now faces an uncertain future due to Chavez's illness.
Haiti: Rapport Du Secrétaire General des Nations Unies Recommandant la Fermet...Stanleylucas
La MINUSTAH fut créé en 2004 pour assister Haiti dans la construction de ses institutions démocratiques. En 13 ans cette mission a dépensé 8 milliards de dollars américains. A part quelques progrès enregistres au sein de la Police Nationale d'Haiti (PNH) la mission a failli a sa mission. La grande majorité des Haïtiens se demandent ou sont passes ces 8 milliards. Pire les soldats Népalais de la MINUSTAH ont introduit la batterie du choléra en Haiti qui a cause la mort de 10.000 Haïtiens et contamines plus de 900.000. Il faudra 2.2 milliards pour nettoyer le pays de cette bactérie mortelle de la MINUSTAH. Le Secrétaire General des Nations Unies pendant six ans a refuse de reconnaitre la responsabilité de ces soldats dans cette épidémie. Quand finalement ils ont reconnu leur responsabilité ça a été avec des jeux de mots pour éviter leur responsabilité légale et rembourser les parents des victimes du choléra. Malgré toutes les promesses faites aucun parent des victimes n'a été dédommagé et les Nations Unies roulent les Haïtiens. C'est dans ce contexte que les Nations Unies veulent remplacer la MINUSTAH qui a perdue toute sa crédibilité par une mission plus légère.
This document provides information about laws and issues related to election integrity in the United States. It discusses the Help America Vote Act of 2002, which mandated upgrades to voting processes nationwide in response to the 2000 election controversy. It also discusses provisions related to provisional ballots and voter registration requirements under the National Voter Registration Act. The document notes debates around universal voter registration and voter identification laws, with some advocating for automatically registering all eligible voters and others supporting voter ID laws in states. The goal is to educate citizens on these topics to empower grassroots efforts to ensure fair and proper election administration.
This document provides an overview of political finance regulations around the world. It begins with a foreword highlighting the threats that uncontrolled political money can pose to democracy, such as diminished political equality and corruption. The preface then discusses challenges related to unequal access to political funding exacerbating an uneven political playing field. The handbook aims to advance the debate on political finance and stimulate reforms through a global comparative analysis of regulations and challenges. It addresses issues like opaque political donations, organized crime influencing politics, disproportionate effects on women candidates, and the need for transparent and accountable party systems.
Look into some Highlights of the Freedom House 2021 ReportCharlie
I look over the Freedom House 2021 report and highlight some of the main points that are included, but make sure to give the full Freedom House 2021 report a read.
The Epoch Times: Catastrophic circumstances in haitiFrederic Eger
Haitian women sit selling oranges in Port-au-Prince amidst electoral posters on a street covered in political advertisements. Haiti has faced significant political instability throughout its history, with most leaders coming to power through coups rather than democratic elections. The country remains unstable with ongoing violence as elections have been repeatedly postponed due to security issues. The international community hopes elections scheduled for January and February 2006 can help establish stability and democracy.
In 2020, Amnesty International recorded the lowest number of executions in over a decade at 483. This was a 26% decrease from 2019. Four countries - Iran, Egypt, Iraq and Saudi Arabia - accounted for 88% of all recorded executions. The global number of known death sentences also decreased by 36% compared to 2019, partly due to disruptions from the Covid-19 pandemic. However, some countries like Egypt more than tripled their executions and the US resumed federal executions after a 17-year hiatus, putting 10 men to death over 5 months. Overall, the report found that the trend towards global abolition of the death penalty continued in 2020, but the pandemic exacerbated the cruelty of capital punishment in some retaining
Stop the Killing of Human Rights Defenderssabrangsabrang
Annual Report 2016 - Frontline Defenders
Published by:
Front Line, the International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders
Grattan House
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PBS — Propaganda, Bias, and Selective Mistruths on ChinaCODEPINKAlert
These subtle instances of bias act as racial and ethnic microaggressions throughout the episode, reinforcing cultural differences as the root causes of China’s struggles with COVID without ever examining how these same mistakes with COVID and more were made in the U.S. and other Western nations — nations that have embraced neoliberal capitalism at the cost of public health infrastructure and most other forms of collective well-being.
Biden is following in the footsteps of Obama and Trump, who both promised fresh approaches to foreign policy but for the most part delivered more endless war.
The Biden presidency is still in its early days, but it’s not too early to point to areas in the foreign policy realm where we, as progressives, have been disappointed--or even infuriated.
Is biden committing_diplomatic_suicide_oCODEPINKAlert
Cautious international optimism toward President Biden is very much based on his commitment to Obama’s signature diplomatic achievement, the JCPOA or nuclear agreement with Iran. Biden and the Democrats excoriated Trump for withdrawing from it and promised to promptly rejoin the deal if elected. But Biden now appears to be hedging his position in a way that risks turning what should be an easy win for the new administration into an avoidable and tragic diplomatic failure.
Around the time when then-Republican candidate Donald Trump was talking about Humvees and thieving allies, women in Saudi Arabia were doing two things for the first time: voting and standing in elections. Loujain al-Hathloul was one of them. But her name was never added to the historic ballot. Fate had something else in store for this 31-year-old Saudi Arabian human-rights activist.
An Egyptian court has convicted the 26-year-old film editor, writer and activist Sanaa Seif on charges of spreading false news, misusing social media and insulting a police officer on duty, sentencing her to 18 months in prison. Sanaa’s sister, Mona Seif, confirmed the March 17 conviction in a tweet stating that her sister has been charged with spreading "false news related to the Covid 19 pandemic,” and "using a Facebook account to terrorize people.”
The document summarizes the horrors of the Gulf War and its devastating impact on Iraq over the past 30 years. It describes the author's experience with the Gulf Peace Team witnessing the start of the US air campaign. It discusses the mass killings of retreating Iraqi soldiers and the years of economic sanctions that followed, estimating over 500,000 Iraqi children died. It calls for apologies and reparations from the US and UK for the immense suffering and destruction caused to Iraq.
US Joins Past Empires in Afghan GraveyardCODEPINKAlert
While Biden is being pilloried by some for pulling out too soon, the truth is that he is violating a May 1 deadline for U.S. troop withdrawal that was painstakingly negotiated under the Trump Administration.
About suffering a massacre of the innocents in yemenCODEPINKAlert
We must not turn away. We must decry the terrible war and blockade. Doing so may help spare the lives of at least some of Yemen’s children. The opportunity to resist this massacre of the innocents rests with us.
My name is Essma Bengabsia. I am a hijab-wearing Arab-American Muslim woman of color, and I was sexually harassed and discriminated against on the grounds of my race, religion, and gender at BlackRock.
10 problems with biden's foreign policy and one solution 9.42.26 pmCODEPINKAlert
The document discusses 10 problems with Biden's foreign policy based on his recent airstrikes in Syria against Iranian-backed militias. It argues that the airstrikes will undermine diplomacy with Iran and make it more difficult to resume negotiations on the Iran nuclear deal. While some Democrats and Republicans supported the attacks, several members of Congress questioned or condemned the strikes, arguing the administration should have sought congressional approval. The document calls on Biden to prioritize diplomacy over military action and withdraw US troops from the Middle East as he promised.
The Decline and Fall of the American EmpireCODEPINKAlert
As our government debates whether we can "afford" COVID relief, a Green New Deal and universal healthcare, we would be wise to recognize that our only hope of transforming this decadent, declining empire into a dynamic and prosperous post-imperial nation is to rapidly and profoundly shift our national priorities from irrelevant, destructive militarism to the programs of social uplift that Dr. King called for.
Acolyte Episodes review (TV series) The Acolyte. Learn about the influence of the program on the Star Wars world, as well as new characters and story twists.
An astonishing, first-of-its-kind, report by the NYT assessing damage in Ukraine. Even if the war ends tomorrow, in many places there will be nothing to go back to.
El Puerto de Algeciras continúa un año más como el más eficiente del continente europeo y vuelve a situarse en el “top ten” mundial, según el informe The Container Port Performance Index 2023 (CPPI), elaborado por el Banco Mundial y la consultora S&P Global.
El informe CPPI utiliza dos enfoques metodológicos diferentes para calcular la clasificación del índice: uno administrativo o técnico y otro estadístico, basado en análisis factorial (FA). Según los autores, esta dualidad pretende asegurar una clasificación que refleje con precisión el rendimiento real del puerto, a la vez que sea estadísticamente sólida. En esta edición del informe CPPI 2023, se han empleado los mismos enfoques metodológicos y se ha aplicado un método de agregación de clasificaciones para combinar los resultados de ambos enfoques y obtener una clasificación agregada.
Essential Tools for Modern PR Business .pptxPragencyuk
Discover the essential tools and strategies for modern PR business success. Learn how to craft compelling news releases, leverage press release sites and news wires, stay updated with PR news, and integrate effective PR practices to enhance your brand's visibility and credibility. Elevate your PR efforts with our comprehensive guide.
Here is Gabe Whitley's response to my defamation lawsuit for him calling me a rapist and perjurer in court documents.
You have to read it to believe it, but after you read it, you won't believe it. And I included eight examples of defamatory statements/
1. 2020 Parliamentary Elections in Venezuela
Report of Election Observation Team for Canada and USA
January 15, 2021
Why Observe Elections?
Ever since the election of Hugo Chávez as president of Venezuela on December 6,
1998 in apparent defiance of U.S. hegemony in Latin America, the United States
Government has made innumerable attempts to destabilize and even forcibly overthrow
the elected Government of Venezuela. Over the course of 25 elections since 1998,
among the most extensive exercises in electoral processes in the Americas, the U.S.
has increasingly decried these elections to be “fraudulent” and “illegitimate” despite
earlier more balanced reports by international observers, including the Organization of
American States, the United Nations, the Carter Center.
The day after the National Assembly elections of December 6, 2020, the U.S.
Department of State condemned the elections as “fraudulent” which “failed to meet any
minimum standard of credibility.” It claimed that “Maduro brazenly rigged these
elections in his favor through the illegal seizure of political parties’ names and ballot
logos, manipulation of the process by his loyalist electoral council, violence and
intimidation, and other undemocratic tactics.”
Canada’s Ministry of Global Affairs asserted without evidentiary basis in a Joint
Declaration with a number of other Latin American countries that the elections “lack
legality and legitimacy because they were carried out without minimum guarantees of a
democratic process, which include freedom, security and transparency, the integrity of
ballots, the participation of all political forces, and inclusion of international
observation.”
Given the extreme polarization of class politics in Venezuela and the coercive
interventions of external actors – such as sanctions, interceptions of ships in
international waters, and armed assistance to opposition militias – it is essential that
independent neutral election observers verify first-hand whether the elections are free,
fair, secure, and have integrity. Accordingly, CODEPINK, a grassroots peace and
justice organization centered in North America, assembled a delegation of journalists,
activists, and academics from the United States and Canada to travel to Venezuela to
observe firsthand and without prejudice the National Assembly elections.
2. Pre-Election Panorama
On September 16, 2019 the Venezuelan government unveiled a series of agreements
with the opposition following a National Roundtable for Peaceful Dialogue to facilitate
the National Assembly elections and to deal with the economic crisis. The dialogue
produced agreements which included appointment of a new electoral council and
electoral guarantees to accompany the processes of voting for the December 6, 2020
elections.
In the months preceding the elections, Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (Consejo
Nacional Electoral – CNE) sent out more than 300 invitations to international
organizations to observe the elections.
Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said on Twitter that a letter had been sent to UN
Secretary General António Guterres and EU Minister for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell,
outlining "the broad electoral guarantees agreed between the government and
opposition for the parliamentary elections," and inviting them to send observers. The
European Union declined to send a group of observers because it said “the conditions
for a transparent, inclusive, free and fair electoral process" did not exist. The United
Nations Secretary General, António Guterres said he didn't have a mandate from the
Security Council or the General Assembly to approve sending a mission to Venezuela.
The Permanent Conference of Political Parties from Latin America (COPPAL) also
declined the CNE'S invitation “because they were not given accreditation in time”.
On March 7, 2020, the warehouse where voting machines, electronic ballots and the
biometric readers were stored were set on fire. Much of the voting equipment was
destroyed including 49,323 voting machines and 582 laptop computers used to update
the civil and electoral register. Then president of the CNE, Tibisay Lucena, said the fire
was sabotage to impede the elections. A terrorist group called the Venezuelan Patriotic
Front took responsibility for the act in a video posted on social media.
For the past two decades, some sectors of the opposition have shifted between
electoral participation and abstention. These elections were no exception and a small
section of the opposition, led by Juan Guaidó, supported by the United States called for
a boycott of the elections. Other sectors of the opposition, including former presidential
candidate Henrique Capriles, criticized the hardline position of Guaidó and encouraged
people to turn out and vote.
3. Appointment of the National Electoral Council Rectors
On June 4, 2020 representatives from six minority opposition parties filed a motion
before the Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (TSJ) requesting that the court declare a
“legislative omission” and appoint new rectors. The National Assembly is responsible for
appointing the CNE Rectors by a two thirds majority vote. However, the opposition-held
National Assembly was legally incapacitated after the legislative body violated a
previous court order by swearing in three suspended legislators. This led the TSJ to
appoint Supreme Electoral Council's rectors. Indira Alfonzo Izaguirre was appointed
president, Rafael Simón Jiménez, vice president, Gladys Gutiérrez and José Luis
Gutiérrez Parra as chief rectors and Tania D'Amelio was reaffirmed in her position.
Rector Rafael Simón Jiménez resigned from his position after two months when he
decided to run in the National Assembly elections. Leonardo Morales Poleo was
appointed to replace him.
One requirement for being a CNE rector is the person not be an active member of any
political party, so that impartiality can be guaranteed.
Since 1999, eight different rectors have been appointed to the CNE, for either a full or
partial term; only two of these have been appointed by the National Assembly (2006
and 2009); on five occasions it has been necessary for the TSJ to intervene (2003,
2005, 2014, 2016 and 2020).
On June 30, 2020, the new CNE agreed to increase the number of deputies from 165 to
277. It has the authority to do so under the Venezuelan constitution and such powers
are inherent in the Electoral Branch of government. The reforms follow a ruling by the
TSJ striking down two articles of the country’s electoral law and ordering the CNE to
establish new norms for greater proportional legislative representation to ensure more
“political pluralism.”
Illegal US Sanctions and Economic Blockade
The application of unilateral economic sanctions is an explicit violation of international
law protected under the United Nations’ and Organization of American States’ charters,
human rights stipulations. Unilateral sanctions violate the U.N.’s Declaration on the
Principles of International Law concerned with friendly relations and cooperation among
states.
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is facing one of the worst economic and social
crises in its history due in large part due to the illegal United States blockade and
4. secondary sanctions. While primary sanctions applied to U.S. entities to prevent them of
doing business with Venezuela are damaging enough because of the sheer weight of
the U.S. economy in the Western Hemisphere, secondary sanctions applied
extraterritorially effectively forbid third-party entities from trading, investing, and
otherwise engaging with Venezuela at the risk of being cut off from the U.S. dollar
based global financial system.
While vital medical equipment and life saving drugs are officially exempted from
sanctions, they are effectively blocked from entering Venezuela because Venezuela is
denied access to the international banking system to pay for the equipment and
medicines. An estimated 100,000 people have been killed by U.S. sanctions according
to former expert for the United Nations Human Rights Council for the promotion of an
international democratic and egalitarian order, Alfred de Zayas.
In addition, the United States government blocked Iranian gasoline deliveries and
sanctioned shipping companies whose vessels attempted to ship fuel to the country.
This caused gasoline and diesel shortages within the country hampering internal travel
and possibly some voters’ ability to vote. Fuel shortages also had a tremendous impact
on the electoral process, making it logistically difficult to transport items needed for
elections such as voting machines, ballots, forms, poll workers, etc.
During the 44th session of the United Nations Human Rights Committee in June 2020,
the High Commissioner for Human Rights presented a comprehensive report outlining
the impact of the economic blockade on human rights in Venezuela. The report also
outlined how sanctions on the oil sector have contributed to a considerable drop in oil
production, attacking Venezuelans' purchasing power and affecting the social programs
of Venezuelans.
COVID-19 Pandemic
Venezuela has been one of the least affected countries in the region when it comes to
COVID-19 in large part due to the preventive measures implemented by the
government of Venezuela. These measures include obligatory use of face masks and
face shields in public places, widespread use of hand sanitizers, and a radical voluntary
social quarantine program with seven working days followed by seven days of
quarantine (7+7) which made it possible to flatten the infection curve.
Although, COVID-19 has been relatively well contained in the country, it created an
unprecedented electoral environment. The CNE developed and rolled out a detailed set
of protocols to ensure the safety of all participating in the electoral process. This
5. included mandatory personal protective equipment, hand sanitizing stations, and
physical distancing measures at all polling stations across the country. The 7+7
program also constrained the movement of international election observers who had to
enter and exit the country within one 7-day window.
Interventions in Political Parties
The U.S. Department of State has claimed that the Venezuelan Government rigged the
elections in its favor “through the illegal seizure of political parties’ names and ballot
logos, manipulation of the process by his loyalist electoral council, violence and
intimidation, and other undemocratic tactics.” Here is what actually happened.
The Venezuelan electoral system encourages various political parties to take part in the
electoral process. The Venezuelan constitution recognizes them and sets out criteria to
ensure they have legal and democratic structures in keeping with Venezuelan electoral
laws.
In the run up to the elections some political parties were subject to interventions
following legal rulings arising from cases brought about by internal disputes within the
parties. Party members alleged party leaders undertook authoritarian or undemocratic
measures and disciplinary actions to remain in power illegally. Parties from both the left
and right were impacted.
Tendencias Unificadas para Alcanzar Movimiento de Acción Revolucionaria Organizada
(TUPAMARO – Unified Tendencies to Create a Movement of Organized Revolutionary
Action): The TSJ’s intervention in the far-left TUPAMARO party’s leadership structure
took place after the organization's general secretary José Pinto was arrested in mid-
June 2020. He was accused of being involved in the murder of sixteen-year-old George
Soto whose body was reportedly found buried on Pinto’s property in Caruao, La Guaira
State. The TSJ appointed an ad-hoc board, with Williams José Benavides Rondón as
president.
Compromiso País (COMPA – Commitment to Country): In August 2020 the TSJ issued
a constitutional order authorizing Olga Alejandra Morey, national coordinator of the left-
wing COMPA party to propose candidates in the parliamentary elections.
Acción Democrática (AD – Democratic Action): In July 2020 a ruling by the TSJ
temporarily suspended the national leadership of this centrist social democrat party. The
case was brought forward by party members Otto Marlon Medina Duarte, Jesús Maria
Mora Muñoz and Bernabé Gutiérrez. All alleged violations of political rights, lack of
6. democratic consultation within the party and authoritarian manner in which state,
regional and local leadership boards had been replaced. The court appointed an ad-hoc
board led by Bernabé Gutiérrez.
Movimiento Voluntad Popular (VP – Popular Will): This right-wing party’s national
leadership underwent similar internal turmoil as AD that forced the TSJ to intervene and
replace the acting board with an ad-hoc board. The ruling was in response to a request
for constitutional protection by party members José Gegorio Noriega Figueroa and
Lucila Angela Pacheco Bravo who alleged “abusive and arbitrary “actions by the
leadership which violated Voluntad Popular's by-laws regarding the right to party
membership and disciplinary measures to expel members. José Brito, was named party
president.
Patria Para Todos (PPT – Homeland for All): In August 2020, a ruling by the TSJ
suspended the left wing PPT’s national leadership, headed by the national general
secretary, Rafael Uzcátegui, and appointed an ad-hoc board to begin a restructuring
process. The ruling was in response to a request for constitutional protection lodged by
national secretary of the party Ilenia Medina and regional secretaries Lisett Sabino and
Beatriz Barráez who alleged violations of the internal decision-making process.
Movimiento Primero Justicia (PJ – Justice First Movement): In June 2020 the TSJ
suspended the centrist PJ’s national leadership, headed by Julio Andrés Borges, Tomás
Ignacio Guanipa Villalobos and Edinson Antonio Ferrer Delgado and appointed an ad-
hoc board. The ruling was in response to a request for constitutional protection made
by José Dionisio Brito and Conrado Pérez who alleged “abusive and arbitrary“ actions
by the current leadership which violated Primero Justicia's internal by laws.
It is important to note that individuals impacted by these rulings reject the accusations
and point to political interference on the part of the Maduro government, and
opportunistic party members who sought political control of the parties. On the other
hand, some of these parties have not held primary elections for some time, fueling
internal tensions between their memberships and the leadership.
Electoral and Voting Details
Venezuelans elect members of the National Assembly, the country’s unicameral
legislature, every five years. There were 29,600 voting precincts (mesas) set up in
14,200 voting centers across the country in 87 constituencies.
7. The number of Venezuelans registered to vote in the 2020 parliamentary elections was
20,710,421 which was a 6 per cent increase from the 2015 parliamentary elections.
In all, 107 political parties participated in the electoral process representing more 14,480
candidates running for 277 seats in the National Assembly. Out of the 277 seats, 48
were elected on national lists, 96 on regional lists, 130 as individuals (nominal seats),
and 3 seats reserved for indigenous deputies.
The Venezuelan voting system is both nominal and proportional representation which
assure proportionality and fair representation. With nominal representation, the
candidate who receives the largest number of votes wins. In proportional
representation, voters elect representatives through a system of closed lists and
proportional state-level representation. The 2009 Organic Law of Suffrage enshrines the
principal more firmly and describes the way in which the seats in parliament are
assigned. This law was used to assign the seats for the deputies in the outgoing
Venezuelan National Assembly. It is a fair and equitable system which respects the will
of those voting and ensures representativeness.
Voting System
Venezuela's elections utilize the latest in secure voting technology to ensure that each
vote is counted fairly and cannot be tampered with. It is among the first in the world to
implement automated biometric authentication by fingerprint in 2012 voters and
activation of the voting machine. Venezuela was the first in the world since the 1998
elections to use electronic voting machines that provide a voter verified paper audit trail.
Voting steps are as follows:
1. When arriving at a polling center, each voter is directed to the voting table
(precinct) in which they are assigned.
2. The voter then goes to that table and presents identification. The voter then
places his/her index finger or thumb on a fingerprint scanning device which
activates the voting machine via biometric authentication.
3. Once the voting machine is unlocked the voter chooses the candidate and/or
list by selecting names on an electronic ballot displayed on the voting machine.
4. Once the 'Vote' option has been selected the machine digitally encrypts, and
stores the vote guaranteeing that it remains secret. The machine issues a paper
receipt of the vote which is placed into the ballot box by the voter to be audited
against the electronic vote totals.
8. 5. Finally, the voter signs and places his/her fingerprint in the election roster to
confirm that he/she has voted.
Audits of Voting Software and Machines
The CNE carries out a pre-dispatch audit of voting machines, to validate and replicate
all stages of the electoral process, sampling 0.5% of voting mesas. These replicate and
validate all the stages of the electoral process, verifying that both the software and data,
as well as the operation of the hardware, correspond to what was audited in previous
phases. This is done before every election, in the presence of representatives of
contesting political organizations.
The CNE technicians and the representatives of the political organizations verify that
the code for each machine is being generated and that the machine has all of the
functions approved in the software audit.
The political organizations are given drawings of the machine's technology platform and
its structure. The machine is taken apart so they can see its components and assure
themselves that they are necessary for it to function, they also check to see that the
machine has no unnecessary components or any which can perform functions not
agreed to and not needed for elections.
This software audit of voting machines was carried out from October 12 to 23, 2020 as
specified in the timetable established for the December 6 elections for deputies to the
National Assembly. The purpose of this audit, which is one of the 16 performed
throughout the election process, is to check the voting machine's hardware, software,
and data, all of which entails checking the source codes and software tests to make
sure it is operating correctly.
Pre-delivery Audit of Voting Machines and Election Observers
The representatives of the political organizations carry out a check on a random sample
of 1% of the machines. This audit checks to see that the machines audited perform the
functions they are supposed to during a mock voting exercise which can show if the
machines are adding and totalling correctly.
This stage of the election process was carried out November 29, 2020 in the presence
of 107 political and technical organizations when 150 voting machines were audited and
their installation, activation, operation, scrutiny, totalling and transmitting the vote was
assessed.
9. To make sure that health protocols for preventing COVID-19 were observed, the CNE
used videoconferencing so Venezuelan and international election experts could
participate actively in all of the audits mandated for elections. The election technicians
from the political parties were personally present for these audits.
On November 4, 2020, Vicente Bello, one of the Democratic Unity Roundtable’s
technicians said that all of the electoral specialists appointed by the opposition had
confirmed the effectiveness and transparency of the Venezuelan electoral system in
every one of the audits performed.
Technical experts from many political parties took part in these audits. Also present
were members of the Latin American Council of Election Experts (CEELA) and
technicians from Turkey, Argentina, Russia, Iran, and South Africa were also in
attendance.
A total of 1,800 election observers participated and scrutinized the electoral process.
They included 1,600 domestic experts and technicians and 200 international observers,
political leaders and election experts from more than 17 countries.
Election Results
Voter turnout was 30.5 per cent of all eligible voters. While this figure is relatively low
compared to previous elections in Venezuela, it is not entirely due to the boycott by the
extreme opposition aligned with Juan Guaidó. First, National Assembly elections
historically draw less voter participation than presidential and referendum elections.
Second, millions have migrated out of the country in the face of severe economic
conditions, made still worse by the blockade and sanctions. Third, the shortage of fuel
and day-long gasoline queues presented exceptional challenges to getting to voting
centers. Fourth, the COVID-19 pandemic undoubtedly kept some at-risk voters from
venturing out in spite of the high-level of bio-security protocols of the CNE.
The final election results reaffirm that there is viable political opposition in the country
that will continue to have representation in the new National Assembly:
The ruling coalition, the Great Patriotic Pole (led by the PSUV) – 4,317,819 votes or
69.32 per cent Alianza Democrática (Democratic Alliance coalition) – 1,101,816 votes or
17.68 per cent The United Venezuela alliance, obtained 260,604 votes or 4.19 per cent
The Communist Party of Venezuela obtained 170,227 votes or 2.73 per cent
10. Solutions for Venezuela obtained 99,632 votes or 1.6%
Movement for Socialism obtained 77,301 votes or 1.24%
Ecological Movement for Venezuela obtained 67.547 votes or 1.08%
Union and Progress obtained 53,186 votes or 0.85%
ProCitizens obtained 44,341 votes or 0.71%
Popular Political Unit 89 obtained 19,174 votes or 0.31%
New Vision for my Country obtained 16,043 votes or 0.26%
Of the 277 national assembly seats:
Great Patriotic Pole Coalition won 253 seats (United Venezuela Socialist Party won
219) Democratic Alliance Coalition won 18 seats (Democratic Action Party won 11)
United Venezuela Coalition won 2 seats (Venezuela First won 2)
Communist Party of Venezuela won 1 seat
Three seats are designated for indigenous.
Activities of the Delegation
We visited the factory – Centro De Operaciones Estratégicas in Los Mariches, Miranda
State – where voting machines were assembled, programmed, tested, certified, and
repaired.
Venezuela had been planning to change the voting machines prior to the arson attack.
The incident kick-started the need to design and debut a sovereign voting system.
National companies were used to assemble the machines from Chinese hardware
components, with no private companies involved.
Several security measures and safety protocols have been implemented through this
new voting system. For example, the new voting machines have a hard drive of 8 GB
and a cloud capacity of 64 GB. While the machine is operated by electricity, it features
two internal electricity stabilizers to ensure stable supply. In case of power outages,
each machine will revert to the battery, which has a minimum 4-hour battery life.
11. Modifications to the new system were completed three months before the election. Each
machine was audited three times before transfer to the designated voting center.
Voting Centers Visited
● Escuela Normal de Maestros Miguel Antonio Caro in Parque del Oeste Alí
Primera, Catia neighborhood, Caracas, Federal District (four visits: setting up
voting tables on Dec 4, then on election day at 7:30 am, at 11 am, and for closing
the polls at 8 pm)
● Liceo Fermín Toro, El Silencio neighborhood, Caracas, Federal District
● La Guaira High School, La Guaira (on the coast, east of Maiquetía), La Guaira
State (formerly Vargas State)
● Embajada de Panamá, La Guaira, La Guaira State
● Maiquetía elementary school (Fundación Regional El Niño Simón), Maiquetía, La
Guaira State • Unidad Educativa Nacional Luís Augusto Machado Cisneros,
Caracas, Federal District • Grupo Escolar República del Peru, Caracas, Federal
District
● Liceo Zona 23, Ciudad Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias, Caracas, Federal District •
Escuela Carlos Miguel Escará, Maracay, Aragua State
● Escuela Santiago Mariño, Turmero, Aragua State
● Escuela Francisco Miranda, Victoria, Aragua State
● Instituto Universitario de Tecnología de Administración Industrial, Los Teques,
Miranda State • Additional voting centers in Carabobo State
Delegation Meetings
On December 5, 2020 the delegation met with eight opposition members from the
Alianza Democrática (Democratic Alliance) which included Pedro José Rojas and
Oranjel Salas of Acción Democrática (AD), Juan Carlos Alvarado and Felix Freites of
Comité de Organización Política Electoral Independiente (COPEI), Bruno Gallo
(Avanzada Progresista), Alfonso Campos and Anibal Sanchez of Esperanza por El
Cambio (El Cambio), and Timoteo Zambrano of Cambiemos Movimiento Ciudadano.
The leaders expressed strong criticisms of U.S. sanctions and interference which they
felt hurt the average Venezuelan. They expressed concern about U.S. support for and
promotion of Juan Guaidó whom they felt had little support within Venezuela and did not
represent the opposition in Venezuela.
Members felt they had not been given equal access to public media ahead of the
December 6th parliamentary elections.
12. Bruno Gallo who had spent 10 years working at the CNE looking closely for fraud told
us he could not find any evidence of sustained fraud in the electoral process. All
opposition members made clear that the elections process in Venezuela was fair,
transparent, and secure.
The Popular Revolutionary Alternative
Via ZOOM, the delegation spoke with Paul Dobson from the Alternativa Popular
Revolucionaria (APR) the evening of December 5. This political coalition is made up of
the Communist Party of Venezuela, Tupamaro Revolutionary Movement, Homeland for
All Party, Lucha de Clases (International Marxist Tendency), United left, Revolutionary
Bolivarian Movement-200, Compromiso País, and the Autonomous Network of
Communards and National Commitment.
Dobson spoke of their opposition to U.S. intervention and criminal blockade against the
country which was impacting the economy.
He noted the important advances in the electoral process and democratic proposals
implemented by the National Dialogue Table. Dobson also lauded a return of open
debate on both state-run and private channels, with one exception. The APR
denounced the fact it had been excluded from access to private and public media
coverage ahead of the December 6th parliamentary elections.
Key issues highlighted were APR’s critique of the government’s failure to invest in and
develop productive infrastructure such as local petrol, gas and electrical generation
which could have alleviated the impact of the international economic blockade.
Dobson expressed concern about the new Anti-Blockade Law – that it was not
transparent enough and could leave loopholes to circumvent some labor rights to attract
foreign investment.
Carlos Ron, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for North America
During a meeting the evening of December 7, 2020, Minister Ron stated that he was
happy with the turnout levels for the election. For him, what was important about this
election is that the opposition in 2015 tried the lawfare approach, followed by sanctions
and support for a coup. This moderate opposition is now back to playing politics, and
that’s very promising.
13. The government victory at the polls represented a loyal popular vote against sanctions
and the people advocating for them. The opposition led by Guaidó took CITGO’s assets
and used these to enrich themselves.
With respect to challenges on the ground in Venezuela, Minister Ron was forthright in
acknowledging that without China’s help and solidarity in designing the COVID
response, the situation would have been much worse in Venezuela. The latest spate of
tough sanctions has created new poverty in Venezuela. However, the Plan Pueblo a
Pueblo is helping increase the level of internal production. The prices of these goods
are about a third of the market price. These approaches to crises have been working,
and you can see this clearly in Venezuela today, especially with many more places
selling fresh fruit and vegetables than ever before.
With respect to the new voting system, Minister Ron mentioned that this was the first
fully automated system in the world. Other technological advances Venezuela is
working on including full refurbishment of the subway system, and plans to build a new
refinery with the Chinese, Russians, and Iranians.
The delegation met with Mr. Blum via teleconference after the elections on December
11, 2020, and his overall impression of the election was that it reflected the situation in
Venezuela. Given the opposition’s poor performance on election day, Blum expressed a
desire that the opposition parties recognize their mistakes and overcome their divisions.
The opposition will need to be better organized in order to assume power.
Mr. Blum rejected the radical opposition of Juan Guaidó supported by a small minority
of Venezuelans and funded by the United States. It is this group which has imported an
idea of not participating in the elections. This radical opposition simply wants to
overthrow Maduro. For Blum and his opposition coalition, they believe the government
can only be changed via the peaceful electoral route.
Blum also stated he feels free to speak and does not encounter oppression from the
government. He also acknowledged that Maduro is undertaking a remarkable effort to
return the opposition to the political process. However, because of the existing divisions,
no person from the opposition is well placed to govern.
Observations
From what we observed, the Venezuelan elections were standardized, fair, transparent,
and secure. The electoral environment was one of tranquility and peace which allowed
Venezuelans to exercise their political voice. We appreciated the methodical planning
14. put into place by the CNE, in terms of health protocols to protect everyone involved in
the electoral process.
All electoral workers had a sound understanding of the protocols the National Electoral
Council had put in place to support the voting process. Each of the workers we spoke to
could answer our questions about the process and were thoughtful and careful in their
adherence to strict biosecurity measures, guiding voters through the process, and
auditing the vote after the close of polls. Chairs of the election board were available in
each voting location to oversee the process and act as a liaison to the international
observers. Finally, we were able to verify the presence of witnesses from different
political parties observing the process at the voting locations.
We observed on several occasions voters with handicaps being assisted in a very
courteous and transparent manner by multiple people, assuring that every voter who
shows up at the polls can caste his or her ballot.
In at least one case during the setting up of a voting machine before opening the polls,
we observed a poll workers call by mobile phone for technical assistance. The issue
was quickly resolved and the voting machine was up an running in good time. The point
to be made here is that poll workers are human beings who may not know everything,
but they know when to call for assistance and how to resolve technical problems.
We heard positive comments that the new election machines are faster than the
previous ones. Moreover, the CNE used a taller barrier this year to hide the voter and
the voting machine, which ensured security of the vote, and was appreciated by voters.
There were indications that the voting center at Liceo Fermín Toro opened a bit later
than advertised. It was set up and taking voters by 7:20 am, not 7 am.
Voting at Escuela Carlos Miguel Escará, Maracay, Aragua State was interrupted by the
governor holding a press conference along with two candidates on the ballot. Although
the speeches were not campaign speeches, but rather affirmations of the voting
process, the presence of the candidates could potentially influence votes. Such activity
should be interpreted as an irregularity under the rules governing potential campaign
activity in or near a voting center. Nevertheless, because the voting center was
temporarily closed for the entry of voters queued on the street, it is unlikely that the
press conference materially affected the results of balloting that morning.
An additional polling center in La Guaira State was visited by its own governor and three
other candidates or local politicians, who took the opportunity to publicly stress the
15. importance of the election being conducted for Venezuelan sovereignty, self-
determination, independence, and national pride in the face of illegal unilateral coercive
measures and direct international political intervention and intimidation. Conversation
and questions were taken from CNE observers, as well as a group photo. Venezuelan
Special Police (FAES) was also witnessed inside a voting room (mesa) at the location,
albeit with no communication with voters or proximity to the voting booth, preserving
secrecy of the ballot. This presence has since been reported as having been related to
security as it pertained to the attendance of notable local political leaders and
candidates.
Conclusion
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela’s legislative elections took place within the
constitutional framework and was shaped by two major challenges: illegal US sanctions
and economic blockade and the COVID-19 pandemic which created an unprecedented
election scenario.
While the narrative repeatedly heard in the United States and Canada is that the
opposition led by Juan Guaidó is the only opposition committed to “democratic
transition,” on the contrary, it is clear that it is but one of many active opposition
groupings and it is one of the very few that is not prepared to participate in a democratic
process. The U.S. and Canada remain in denial about pluralism and viable democratic
opposition that is completely free to speak, criticize the government, and run for election
in Venezuela. This continued failure to recognize political realities on the ground and
the essential integrity of the elections, driving in an economic war on the people of
Venezuela, can only lead to a totally unwarranted perpetuation of the humanitarian
crisis.
The PSUV-led ruling coalition won a supermajority in the National Assembly for the next
five years, which will help it develop measures to counter the economic sanctions.
The December 6th Parliamentary elections represent a renewal and normalization of
the institutions of governance in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and
strengthening of the plural electoral path as the only way forward for achieving peace
and economic stability in Venezuela.
Delegation members:
Raúl Burbano, Elicha Gastelumendi, Sharat G. Lin, Teri Mattson, Michelle Munjanattu,
Garland Nixon, Marlon Núñez, and Rick Sterling
16. Technical and Data Research:
Belany Jiménez
Meeting Translation Services:
Yelitza Rincon and Carmelo Velásquez