March 9, 2006
Electoral campaign to start on August 1st

(El Universal) - "The electoral campaign for December 3rd presidential election is to start on August 1st, ending on December 1st at midnight, according to the draft schedule the board of directors of the National Electoral Council (CNE) is to discuss next week.

The draft schedule should have been discussed on March 7 and 8, but the CNE board adjourned both meetings until next week.

Regarding the term for nominations of candidates running for the Venezuelan presidency, it starts on August 5th and ends on August 24th.

If the opposition chooses to select its candidate in a primary election, this poll should be conducted anywhere between June 20th and August 3rd".