US embassy cable - 05CARACAS2242

C O N F I D E N T I A L  CARACAS 002242 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/13/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PHUM, KDEM, VE 
SUBJECT: VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION GROUPS CHALLENGE CNE'S 
LEGITIMACY 
 
 
Classified By: Political Counselor Abelardo A. Arias 
for reason 1.4 (d). 
 
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SUMMARY 
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1. (U) Venezuela's National Electoral Council (CNE) drew 
criticism after a national voting simulation on July 10 
failed to mobilize a significant portion of the electorate. 
Opposition groups continued campaigns to expose the CNE's 
deficiencies and to question its legitimacy.  They argue that 
automation of the election process will hinder a free and 
democratic election while increasing the potential for fraud. 
The NGO Sumate cites mistrust of the electoral registry, 
illegal use of power and fraud as three factors jeopardizing 
the legitimacy and performance of the electoral counsel.  CNE 
President Jorge Rodriguez called the process, despite the low 
voter turnout, efficient and predicted that at least 70 
percent of the electorate will vote during the August 7 
municipal election.   Rodriguez said that abstention is 
unconstitutional and warned opposition leaders that he would 
push for criminal charges against any organization or 
individual advocating an electoral strike.  End Summary. 
 
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SIMULATION PLAGUED BY LOW VOTER PARTICIPATION 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
2. (U) In advance of the August 7 municipal elections, the 
CNE held a national voting simulation exercise on July 10. 
The exercise, however, failed to mobilize a significant 
portion of the country's electorate.  Data collected 
nationally from 28 polling centers revealed dismal levels of 
voter interest, with only 5,000 of 14.5 million eligible 
voters participating in the exercise.  Voters in the states 
of Zulia, Vargas and Miranda demonstrated the lowest level of 
interest with the majority of polling centers in these states 
reporting minimal or no voter participation.  CNE President 
Jorge Rodriguez said the process operated efficiently, 
despite low voter turnout and predicted at least 70 percent 
of the country's electorate will vote during the August 7 
municipal election. 
 
3. (U) Of the 6,561 polling machines installed nationally, 
Rodriguez boasted that only 12 (roughly .18%) experienced 
mechanical failure.  He explained that on-site technicians 
facilitated the removal and replacement of malfunctioning 
polling equipment within 10 minutes and estimated that the 
overall process operated at an efficiency level of 95 
percent.  Voters in several polling centers, however, 
complained that a three minute preset time limit programmed 
into polling equipment inhibited their ability to make 
informed decisions.  Rodriguez countered saying that the 
machines could have been reset to accommodate voters who 
requested additional time. 
 
--------------------------------------------- - 
SUMATE LEADS THE INQUIRY INTO CNE'S LEGITIMACY 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
4. (U) Opposition groups like Sumate, Alianza Bravo Pueblo 
(ABP), Verdad Venezuela and Un Solo Pueblo continued 
campaigns to expose the CNE's deficiencies and question its 
legitimacy.  Leaders of these organizations argue automation 
of the election process will hinder a democratic election and 
increase the potential for fraud.  On July 14, Sumate 
released a report declaring that the upcoming election will 
not be free and fair because the CNE is plagued by 
inconsistencies in the electoral registry and lacks coherent 
procedures for conducting audits, disseminating information 
to the public and operating independently.  The national 
secretary of Alianza Bravo Pueblo (ABP) Luis Lopez said the 
 
SIPDIS 
electoral registry of the CNE is "contaminated by thousands 
of people who have been incorporated irregularly."  Rodriguez 
threatened to seek criminal charges against any individuals 
or groups advocating abstention. 
 
5. (U) By law, polling centers are required to use physical 
elector notebooks to record the name, signature and 
thumbprint of electors.  Although Venezuelan electoral 
regulations called for an automation of the electoral 
process, Sumate charges that the CNE's use of electronic 
elector notebooks violates national voting laws and 
compromises the secrecy of the vote.   In its report, the 
 
group claims that automation introduces the risks of 
real-time knowledge of who has voted, the possibility of 
real-time alteration of the elector database at polling 
stations and the elimination of physical evidence to 
determine the level of voter participation. 
 
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CNE DEEMED AN ILLEGAL ENTITY 
---------------------------- 
 
6. (U) The CNE, by law, is obligated to inform the public of 
any decisions affecting  suffrage within 5 days of being 
adopted.  Sumate contends that the CNE has published 
decisions, notably the creation of new electoral districts, 
with up to two months delay.  Although the CNE has, 
allegedly, distributed information regarding new electoral 
districts to President Hugo Chavez's Movimiento Quinta 
Republica (MVR) it has failed to release the information 
publicly.  In Venezuela, the legal period for impugning a 
decision begins immediately after changes are adopted. 
Therefore, Sumate argues, any delay in disseminating 
information to the public adversely affects the electorate's 
ability to actively participate in the election process. 
 
7. (U) Opposition groups argue that the CNE operates like an 
institution of government. They contend that the CNE accepted 
a proposal to establish the new political party Unidad de 
Vencedores Electorales (UVE) to benefit the MVR during the 
upcoming election.  Through a process known as "Las Morochas" 
or "twinning", opposition groups allege UVE will serve as a 
"twin party" for the MVR and aide in its acquisition of 
additional representation in the National Assembly. 
 
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COMMENT 
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8. (C) In the weeks leading up to the August 7 municipal 
elections, the opposition will continue to criticize the CNE 
to discredit its legitimacy.  Abstention is the key watchword 
for August 7.  Most observers note correctly that turnout for 
this level of election traditionally has been abysmally low. 
For Chavez and his supporters a good turnout is important as 
a demonstration that the Bolivarian revolution has roots. 
For his opponents, not participating can help focus their 
message on the public's lack of faith in the CNE.  Neither is 
likely to come away solidly with what it wants. 
Brownfield 
 
 
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      2005CARACA02242 - CONFIDENTIAL