GUSTAVO MENDEZ
VIVIAN CASTILLO
MARIANELA RODRIGUEZ

EL UNIVERSAL

Opposition Acción Democrática (AD) party opened Tuesday a new chapter by withdrawing, for the first time in 64 yeas since its creation, from elections for parliament.

Secretary-General Henry Ramos Allup and the national board of directors conceded that a decision beyond individual or party positions was hard to make.

"As you know we are the oldest political party in Venezuela. Imagine what it means for us. We usually take part and compete, we believe in democratic methods, we have run for elections, we have even fought dictatorship, we were a banned and underground party, some of our leaders went to exile, others were chased and many of them slain and imprisoned. Imagine what it means for a party like AD saying today that on these conditions we cannot stand for elections," Ramos Allup admonished.

Reasons for withdrawal, according to the leader, include shameless overstepping by the national government, a biased National Electoral Council (CNE) at the service of the government, restrictions to information sources, a skewed voting roll and arbitrary Plan República (deployment of military troopers to protect electoral centers and voters.)

Total suspicion
In AD view, removal of fingerprint-reading machines cannot be seen as a pleasing grant by CNE, but as evidence of defective upcoming and previous elections. "What about the recall referendum if it was shown that the thumbprint ID registration system violated vote secrecy? This shows that prior results are not trustworthy."

Deferral
For its part, opposition Copei party urged the CNE board to adjourn the elections and reset voting machines, following proved vote vulnerability during the software audit.

"Should these conditions lack, the candidates of Copei party will withdraw within the legal deadline before the polls," Secretary-General and deputy César Pérez Vivas cautioned.

Ethical problem
Henrique Salas Römer, the leader of opposition Proyecto Venezuela, joined AD and Copei decision not to take part in the elections next December 4th, and decided to withdraw all the party followers who are members of polling stations. "It is not a political issue, but an ethical one which is fundamental for all Venezuelans."

"You can lose or win in democracy, but you cannot tolerate the arbiter being in favor of one of the parties and changing results for the sake of the person who did not win," he pointed out.
 
Translated by Conchita Delgado