Amidst strong allegations of fraud, the president of the National Electoral Council (CNE) of Venezuela, Elvis Amoroso, handed over the records of the July 28 presidential election results to the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) on Monday.
Supreme Court to Review Election Results
The TSJ announced it would review the election outcome that proclaimed Nicolás Maduro as the winner, a result that has faced significant scrutiny both nationally and internationally. The delays in delivering the records by the Chavista government and the opposition's publication of thousands of records, which they claim show opposition candidate Edmundo González as the winner, have fueled the controversy.
The TSJ's president, Caryslia Rodríguez, confirmed the receipt of the documents in a statement broadcasted on Venezolana de Televisión (VTV). "We acknowledge the receipt of all requested records from the National Electoral Council, thereby complying with the court order," Rodríguez stated.
Rodríguez mentioned that the TSJ would begin a "forensic analysis of the submitted material" within a 15-day period, which may be extended if necessary. According to VTV, Amoroso delivered the voting table records, the adjudication record, and the proclamation record to the TSJ's Electoral Chamber.
Candidates and Political Representatives Summoned
Rodríguez added that presidential candidates and party representatives would be summoned to submit all "electoral instruments" in their possession and answer questions. Among those summoned are Nicolás Maduro, opposition candidate Edmundo González, José Luis Cartaya from the Democratic Unity Platform (PUD), Simón Calzadilla, the secretary-general of the Movement for Venezuela (MPV), Manuel Rosales, the governor of Zulia state, and candidate Enrique Márquez.
Also summoned are Chavistas Diosdado Cabello, Hipólito Abreu, Ilenia Medina, Ricardo Sánchez, and Didalco Bolívar.
Last Friday, the TSJ requested the CNE to submit the tally records and the final totalization of the presidential election results as part of an investigation aimed at "certifying" the official result that declared Maduro reelected. Additionally, the TSJ requested "all elements" that could prove an alleged "cyberattack" on the CNE's computer system, which the government claimed as the reason for the delayed transmission of the results.
With 96.87% of the records transmitted, the CNE declared Maduro the winner with 51.95% of the votes against González's 43.18%. However, the opposition has published "81% of the electoral records" on a public website, which they claim show González won by a wide margin of more than 30 points.
This result has been recognized by several countries, including Argentina, the United States, Peru, and the European Union, among others. Maduro has responded with severe repression against those protesting the alleged electoral fraud.
FAQs on the Venezuelan Presidential Election Controversy
Given the contentious nature of the recent Venezuelan presidential elections, many are seeking clarity on several aspects. Below are some commonly asked questions and their answers.
Why is the Venezuelan presidential election result under scrutiny?
The election result is under scrutiny due to allegations of fraud, delays in delivering election records, and claims by the opposition that their candidate, Edmundo González, actually won.
What actions has the Supreme Court of Justice taken?
The TSJ has received the election records from the CNE and announced a forensic review of the material. They have also summoned candidates and party representatives for questioning.
Which countries have recognized the opposition's claimed victory?
Countries such as Argentina, the United States, Peru, and the European Union have recognized the opposition's claimed victory.