Amid a serious political crisis that has plagued the Venezuelan society for several years now, a few days ago the possibility emerged of reaching an agreement leading to a peaceful resolution to the difficulties disturbing the normal functioning of the country. It is important to highlight that, according to surveys, this is the option favored and called for by the vast majority of Venezuelans and Civil Society Organizations.
The recent talks between the opposition and the Government, with the participation of international organizations, have revolved around the purpose of implementing several important initiatives in the framework of a humanitarian aid plan.
Almost in parallel, meetings to discuss the upcoming parliamentary elections took place, focusing particularly on the appointment of a new politically balanced National Electoral Council (CNE) deserving of public trust and tasked with organizing the next poll.
Unfortunately, on June 5 the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) decided to declare the National Assembly under “unconstitutional omission” regarding the appointment of the members of the CNE, casting doubts on its fairness in handling the matters of its competence and jeopardizing the voting process.
The Venezuelan Observatory of Elections (OEV) regrets the most recent electoral decision of the TSJ and considers it inconvenient. We insist on the need for political negotiations to agree on the conditions for fair elections. We reaffirm the importance of having formed a plural Electoral Nominations Committee and we reiterate that the peaceful, democratic, and electoral path is the only way to a new and better country for Venezuelans. Finally, we emphasize our conviction that resorting to any other formula will be detrimental to us all. Hopefully, there is time to correct this serious mistake.
Caracas, June 7, 2020
Translated by: José Rafael Medina
