March 15, 2006
European Union: Venezuela has the most modern voting system in the world

(Agencia Bolivariana de Noticias) - "According to the final report on last December's parliamentary elections, issued by a delegation of international observers of the European Union, the Venezuelan automated voting system implemented by the National Electoral Council (CNE) is probably the most modern in the world.

The document says the voting system implemented by the CNE complies with the most advanced international standards on electronic voting.

José Silva Pineda, president of the delegation, gave details of the mentioned report during a press conference in Caracas . He highlighted that the Electoral Council provided every guarantee of transparency and reliability during the past electoral process.

The experts also expressed that the European Union was surprised with the abrupt withdrawal of opposition political parties, specially when the CNE had considered all their demands, among them, the suspension of the biometric machines.

This report also expresses that "the CNE team is capable of facing sudden political turns and adjust to them with great efficiency".

The EU observers perceived that electoral administration was, in general, transparent and in most cases they received all the information they needed.

Mr. Pineda also said observers thought the parliamentary elections were orderly and transparent and that voting machines offered great reliability.

He also highlighted that EU observers believe that it is impossible to risk the secrecy of vote with this system.

The report also said the transmission of results was really fast and that closing procedures were followed correctly.

In this sense, the director of the delegation said that trust in the electoral system is vital for the country's reconciliation and that media has to contribute to regain it in those who still do not believe in the CNE.

In fact, one of his recommendations to the media is the creation of a code of conduct that would norm its behaviour during future electoral processes".