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OBSERVERS REPORT TO OAS ON ELECTIONS IN BOLIVIA, HONDURAS AND VENEZUELA

The Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) heard preliminary reports on election observations carried out recently in Honduras, Bolivia and Venezuela. At a meeting Wednesday, the chiefs of the three OAS Electoral Observation Missions presented oral reports to the member state representatives and Secretary General José Miguel Insulza, and included their preliminary comments and recommendations on these electoral processes.

Underscoring the important role of OAS observation missions in promoting democracy around the hemisphere, Insulza emphasized that “as an organization, the only tool we have that will ensure this vital work can be done is our credibility.” While reports may contain ideas or interpretations that may not be to the liking of certain groups, he said, observation missions must have “absolute freedom to report what they saw, and to do so as frankly and as openly as possible.” The Secretary General commended the three teams of monitors on their effort and dedication, expressing his respect for the work of OAS electoral observation teams whose reports must be objective. Insulza stressed the importance of the credibility of the observers’ work, adding that this is the most valuable element of OAS electoral observations.

In his preliminary report to the Permanent Council, Rubén Perina, Chief of the Electoral Observation Mission that monitored the election of legislators to Venezuela’s National Assembly, said the mission had noted “an atmosphere of polarization and political tension marked by mutual mistrust, which became a central factor of the electoral contest.” Perina explained that the opposition had stated its lack of confidence in the National Electoral Council (CNE) as a reason for not taking part in the election, although he noted that “at the request of opposition political parties, the CNE did institute significant guarantees for their participation.”

According to the team that monitored the Venezuela process, several outstanding issues require “special and urgent attention”—among them regularizing the CNE; making computerized voting machines secure, reliable and user-friendly; and updating the voter registry.

“Participation, mutual trust and democratic coexistence are achieved through dialogue that is systematic, frank, inclusive and based on good faith,” Perina asserted. “Given that the Mission observed, while in Venezuela, that this type of dialogue was lacking or precarious, and in light of the upcoming elections, it would be extremely beneficial for the country if the government were to encourage a dialogue of this nature with all political interests.”
In response, Venezuela’s Ambassador to the OAS, Jorge Valero, took issue with certain portions of the report and rejected what he said were campaigns in Venezuela and abroad “to discredit the CNE.” He stressed that “in Venezuela, dialogue is state policy, and democratic institutions are open to comments, criticisms and suggestions from all segments of society interested in enhancing Venezuela’s democracy.”

On the OAS Electoral Observation Mission to Honduras, Mission Chief Moisés Benamor’s report lauded the civic-mindedness and peaceful and orderly participation of Hondurans in the November 27 general elections, in which voters elected Manuel Zelaya as President. The OAS Secretary General’s special envoy Ambassador Frank Almaguer was also part of that Mission.

The report touched on controversies related to the implementation of the Electoral Law and laws governing political parties, as well as operational decisions made by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal. The Mission recommended strengthening communication channels among all sectors of society to enhance citizens’ discussion and consideration of possible legislative reform of the electoral system.
The report also referred to election-day exit polls that created confusion among citizens and confrontation between parties. Benamor explained that this was why the OAS Observation Mission had called on political actors to show respect and tolerance and to work toward enhanced dialogue and cooperation after the elections.

Reporting on behalf of Ambassador Horacio Serpa of Colombia, who headed the Observation Mission to Bolivia, Deputy Mission Chief Steven Griner provided details about the December 18 general elections in which President Evo Morales won by an absolute majority. Citing official figures, Griner said the 84.5% voter participation was “the highest turnout in the last 25 years of Bolivia’s electoral history.” According to Griner, the Bolivian elections were conducted in a completely normal atmosphere, and were well-run and organized. “Bolivian men and women voted freely and elected their representatives democratically,” he said.

But Griner also offered recommendations to improve the electoral process in Bolivia, touching on reform and modernization of the voter registration list, public financing and pre-election advertising.

Ambassador Salvador Rodezno of Honduras and Ambassador María Tamayo of Bolivia thanked the OAS for its Electoral Observation Missions in their respective countries and assured the Permanent Council that they would convey the recommendations to their governments so as to ensure smoother and more transparent elections in the future.
Saint Lucia’s Ambassador Sonia Johnny presided over the meeting, at which a number of member state ambassadors commented on the election reports.

Reference: E-017/06