Top electoral body reiterates that vote secrecy is guaranteed

President of the National Electoral Council (CNE) Tibisay Lucena took stock of the meetings held with political organizations and the media ahead of the presidential election campaign that begins this Sunday July 1.

With regard to the remarks made by political parties, Lucena said that the CNE directors "will meet to gather information and give a response to political organizations."

As for the electoral system, she referred to the secrecy of the vote, claiming that "it has never been in question and is guaranteed."

She added that the CNE will ratify the secrecy of vote "when necessary" in advertising spots.

Again, she requested the media to broadcast balanced information, and insisted that public funds should not be used to finance campaigns or political organizations.

As for the mandatory radio and television broadcasts ordered by the president of the republic, Lucena said that they are not included in the regulations on electoral advertising and propaganda "because they are not an electoral issue."

"The mandatory radio and television broadcasts are used to disseminate the work of government," said Lucena.

Concerning the case of Venezuelan voters in Miami, Lucena said that their right to vote has not been violated, as they will be able to cast their ballot in New Orleans.

The Venezuelan consulate in Miami -the largest polling station outside of Venezuela, where some 23,000 Venezuelans were registered to vote- was shut down in January. Consequently, the CNE decided to relocate voters in New Orleans (Louisiana), more than 838 miles from Miami.