You Will Anyway: Venezuela - Recall referendum is on

Thursday, June 03, 2004

Venezuela - Recall referendum is on

Preliminary report of the CNE (elections council) says there are enough signatures to have a recall vote on President Hugo Chávez. I think this is probably the best thing that could happen in the situation. At least for now, perhaps the tensions will be relieved and violence avoided. And, hopefully, if this is seen by the Opposition as an honest count on the part of the council, then the election results will meet with acceptance, should Chávez win again. No guarantees of that, of course, and the Opposition will certainly not stop trying to get rid of him even if he does survive the recall vote.

But, that's jumping ahead.

I'm not completely convinced the process has not been corrupted by the Opposition, given Greg Palast's story about ChoicePoint's data "espionage", and given Washington's involvement on the side of the Opposition. But, the CNE says that they are satisifed. And, as I said, I think this is the best possible scenario anyway.

An interesting note is that there were also nine Opposition National Assemblymen who will face recall. Obviously, Venezolanos have grown dissatisfied with their government.

The recall vote will be held in August, I believe. Nice and hot.

Hopefully, the extra attention that has been placed on the referendum proceedings will mean the intense international scrutiny will discourage voter fraud attempts. And hopefully, the democratic revolution will prevail.

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