Following the controversial re-election of Venezuelan President Maduro, a UN panel of experts has now also criticized the vote. The fact that detailed election results are still missing is an “unprecedented event.”
According to a UN report, the presidential election in Venezuela was not conducted in a transparent and lawful manner. The electoral commission's determination of the results “did not comply with the basic transparency and integrity measures that are essential for holding credible elections,” the expert panel's report said.
According to the four UN election observers, the electoral commission failed to publish the results of the polling stations. In the statement dated August 9, this was criticized as an unprecedented occurrence in recent electoral history. Furthermore, the authority failed to comply with “national legal and administrative regulations.”
The experts also explained that although they were able to work with the local authority during the election process, it was not possible to meet afterwards.
Maduro despite Allegations of fraud declared election winner
The largely pro-government electoral authority officially declared Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro the winner of the presidential election on July 28, despite international criticism and allegations of fraud by the opposition.
According to them, the incumbent was able to secure a third term with around 51 percent of the vote. The opposition, however, stated that they had copies of the ballot papers that would prove their victory.
Maduro's controversial re-election sparked nationwide protests, with at least 2,400 people arrested and 23 people dead.
Foreign Ministry defends itself against UN criticism
The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry “categorically” rejects the UN report. “It represents an absolutely reckless act that undermines confidence in the mechanisms of cooperation and technical assistance,” it said.
In the days following the vote, several countries, including the United States, Peru and Argentina, officially recognized opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia as the winner of the election. The EU has not yet done so, but has refused to recognize Maduro's re-election.
The authoritarian president, who has ruled Venezuela since 2013, is supported by the country's military as well as by Cuba, China and Russia.
