March 19, 2005
International assessment of the Electoral Registry

(El Universal) - "The international audit of the National Electoral Council will begin by the end of May. Jorge Rodríguez , President of the Council, said that the Centre of Advisory and Electoral Promotion (CAPEL) would be the technical, consulting and executing institution in charge of the revision of the electoral list, together with the National Electoral Council itself.

Rodríguez announced CAPEL's participation as advisor after a meeting with its director, Mr. José Thompson. CAPEL is based in Costa Rica and it's a member of the Inter American Commission for Human Rights.

This organisation has developed similar projects in other Latin American countries. Mr. Thompson thanked the Venezuelan Electoral Council for their trust and reminded that Electoral Registries must be checked periodically to identify weaknesses and strengths.

CAPEL's analysis will include the data of more that 14 million registered Venezuelans and could be monitored by political parties, voters and local associations that request it (...)".