Maduro Requests Election Audit Amid Criticism
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Loading... - Dorothea Engel
- 01 Aug 2024
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Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has called on the country's Supreme Tribunal of Justice to conduct an audit of the recent presidential election. This request comes after opposition leaders contested his victory, and foreign observers criticized the court's independence due to its close ties with the government.
Maduro's announcement marks his first concession to demands for greater transparency in the electoral process. He stated the ruling party is prepared to present all vote tally sheets from the election, declaring, "I throw myself before justice" and expressing his willingness to be investigated.
However, the Carter Center, which monitored the election, voiced concerns about the impartiality of the audit. Jennie K. Lincoln, leading the delegation, highlighted that the court is appointed by the government, questioning the independence of its review.
Maduro's primary challenger, Edmundo González, and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado claim to have secured more than two-thirds of the vote tally sheets from the election, arguing that releasing this data would demonstrate Maduro's defeat.
Maduro has alleged a plot against his government, citing attacks on the National Electoral Council and cyber-attacks on the electoral system. He presented videos purportedly showing attacks on electoral offices, though these claims remain unverified by independent sources.
Attorney General Tarek William Saab reported over 1,000 arrests related to the alleged attacks. Meanwhile, the National Electoral Council has yet to release detailed vote counts by voting machine, a practice followed in previous elections, increasing pressure on Maduro to ensure a transparent review process.
