EL UNIVERSAL

Former President Jimmy Carter said that balloting tables would be operating until 8 pm "so that everyone going to the tables to vote will be able to vote this evening."

"Everyone who wishes to vote in Venezuela will be able to vote," he emphasized.

He added that "because of this delay it is specially important to have no early announcement of results."

"Everything is going very well and again we have to congratulate the CNE and the people of Venezuela."

Meanwhile, César Gaviria, secretary general of the Organization of American States, urged political leaders and mass media not to launch early announcements.

He said he trust the CNE would timely announce results. "That would be much better for the credibility of this process."

Gaviria also highlighted that Plan República, a military led campaign to protect elections, has worked very well and "has collaborated with the CNE."

He and Carter urged the Venezuelan people to be patient.

Translated by Patricia Torres