Reply #15: Observers Say Venezuela Vote Was Fair

[Wilms]

Observers Say Venezuela Vote Was Fair

Staff and agencies

06 December, 2005

By JORGE RUEDA

CARACAS, Venezuela - European observers said Tuesday that Venezuela‘s congressional elections were fair and transparent despite opposition claims of irregularities and a low voter turnout.

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Jose Silva, head of the European Union team, said the vote was clean and praised the elections council.

He said many Venezuelans did not trust the nation‘s elections system, leading them to abstain from voting.

Chavez, who accused the opposition of plotting the boycott with the help of the United States as part of a plot to "destabilize" the country, said Tuesday that the low turnout "must be looked at, analyzed and considered." Washington and the opposition have denied the accusations.

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Court authorities on Tuesday delayed the start of a trial for leaders of a Venezuelan vote-monitoring group accused of conspiring against Chavez‘s republican system by receiving U.S. funding.

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http://www.localnewsleader.com/brocktown/stories/news-00109103.html