Josep Borrell, representative of the European Union, stressed the need to verify the results of the presidential elections in Venezuela independently, thanks to the preliminary report published by the UN Panel of Experts. In turn, he reiterated his support for a dialogue that respects the popular will and leads to a democratic transition.
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, welcomed this Thursday, August 15, the decision to make public the preliminary report of the United Nations Group of Experts regarding the presidential elections in Venezuela, where in his opinion, «The lack of credibility of the results announced by the Venezuelan authorities is evident».
Days earlier, UN Secretary General António Guterres published the preliminary report in which he considered that the announcement of results without a disaggregated publication by tables “had a negative impact on the confidence” of a large part of the Venezuelan electorate.
In a statement, Borrell said that the July 28 election day took place in a mostly peaceful environment and was well organized from a logistical point of view, as stated in the report. However, the document notes that the announcement of the results without the publication of the details or the delivery of the tabulated results to the candidates is a cause for serious concern. The CNE, according to the report, postponed and ultimately cancelled three key post-election audits, leading to the conclusion that «The results management process failed to meet the basic transparency and integrity measures essential for credible elections.».
I welcome the publication of the UN Panel of Experts’ Interim Report on the Venezuelan Pres Elections
It concludes that the results announced by VEN authorities lack transparency & integrity
Respecting people’s will is the only way to restore democracyhttps://t.co/yBGMCMkZxi
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) August 15, 2024
He also noted that the UN Group of Experts confirmed the reliability of the copies of the electoral records published online by the opposition, with the support of several independent organizations that carried out reviews of the material.
«According to these published copies of the minutes, Edmundo González Urrutia would appear to be the winner of the presidential elections by a significant majority.»states in the statement.
The European diplomat stressed that in a democracy, election results must be complete and independently verifiable in order to be recognised. In this context, the European Union reiterates its call to the Venezuelan electoral authorities to publish and verify the electoral records independently. Furthermore, it underlined the importance of the international community defending the democratic process in Venezuela, ensuring that the Venezuelan people can fully exercise their civil and political rights.
Borrell therefore expressed his support for the efforts of regional partners to promote a Venezuela-led dialogue that reflects the popular will expressed at the polls, offers guarantees to both parties and leads to a democratic transition. He stressed that respecting the will of the Venezuelan people is crucial to restoring democracy and resolving the humanitarian and socio-economic crisis facing the country. He also urged the Venezuelan authorities to end arbitrary detentions and repression against the opposition and civil society, as well as to release all political prisoners.
*Read also: Maria Corina Machado: Calling new elections is a lack of respect for Venezuela
Post Views: 59
