Only 4% is still to be added to Venezuela's register of voters

The reason for a statistically unusual growth of the register of voters, compared to the total number of inhabitants and denounced by some opposition sectors, is simple: the historical removal of citizens from the register of voters.

Spokespersons of some opposition sectors -different from political parties- contend that 100% of persons of legal age by 2003 had enrolled as voters and point to a population growth at 6% versus 20% in the register of voters. Notwithstanding, historical data of the late Supreme Electoral Council (CSE) and the National Electoral Council (CNE) speak otherwise.

The CSE report shows that by 1998, 20.43% of people over 18 years old did not feature in the register of voters. Based on the CNE numbers, in 2000, there was a gap of 19.7%.

In 2004, such difference -the result of the referendum that year- stood at 13.57%.

To date, CNE Vice-President Sandra Oblitas clarifies, only 4% of citizens of legal age are missing in the roster.

Through December 31, 2011, enrolled voters total 18,338,913, about additional seven million compared with 1998.

Oblitas underscored that the surge is due not only because of growing population, but it also forms part of CNE tools to give access to people who were not included before.

She is certain that the raising number of enrollees is tied to the ongoing "inclusion policies" of the CNE, namely the setup of "registration sites where citizens live," including hard-access areas in low-income barrios and sites chosen by organized groups throughout the country.

Recognition for the CNE

The CNE vice-president reiterated that the request by the opposition for support to hold the primaries attests to "the technical and operational capacity" of the CNE. "They would not tell, but in asking for support, they are actually acknowledging it" (the CNE).

emartinez@eluniversal.com

Translated by Conchita Delgado