National Assembly (NA) deputy Hermann Escarrá said on Sunday that the decision issued by the Electoral Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) in relation to the expert appraisal of the documents collected by the Judiciary in the hearings of political organizations and presidential candidates, must be respected.
The statement was made during an interview with the program “Abriendo puertas” broadcast by Venevisión, where he highlighted the jurisdiction of the TSJ that is conducting the investigation into the electoral contentious appeal filed by the President of the Republic, Nicolás Maduro, on the results of the elections of July 28.
“The Electoral Chamber of the TSJ is competent, constitutional and it is now up to it to follow the procedures established in various norms. There is a pronouncement from the people of Venezuela. Let us wait, I am confident that the decision of the Electoral Chamber will clarify many issues that could be controversial at this time (…) In any case, what the Electoral Chamber, the Supreme Court of Justice, decides must be respected,” said Escarrá.
He also pointed out that the Electoral Power had not published the minutes corresponding to the presidential elections of July 28 due to “technological attacks on the platform of the National Electoral Council.”
In this context, the constitutional lawyer rejected the statements made by the head of the Carter Center’s observation mission, Jennie Lincoln, against the electoral process, who pointed out that it is “impossible” to hack the Venezuelan electoral system.
“These are officials, especially the one who made the statement, from the United States State Department. Furthermore, playing it ahead of time only loses credibility,” he said.
He also stressed that the minutes will be presented to the Venezuelan people, demonstrating the security of the vote.
“There is a lapse, but it is for the Electoral Power, of 30 days. Obviously we are not even halfway there yet, but – in any case – the minutes must be presented inexorably for the credibility, the security of the legal and democratic vote,” said Escarrá.
Regarding those arrested during the violent and criminal actions after the Electoral Power presented the first irreversible results bulletin, the parliamentarian assured that they have guarantees, including the right to be defended by a lawyer or, failing that, by a public defender.
In the international context, he referred to the statements of the governments of Brazil, Colombia and Mexico.
“The highest authority is the Supreme Court of Justice and it will make a statement. This does not negate dialogue. Dialogue is necessary. We must insist on dialogue. It is the only civilized way, it is the only way for us to restore national spirit but also to restore the idea of peace,” he reiterated.
