Press release October 12, 2017
Venezuela: National Electoral Council Enacts Widespread Voter Suppression
The National Electoral Council (CNE) of Venezuela is taking illegal actions to influence the outcome of this Sunday’s regional elections.
Washington
In response to National Electoral Council (CNE) of Venezuela taking illegal actions to influence the outcome of this Sunday’s regional elections, including closing polling stations in neighborhoods with opposition majorities and forcing residents to travel long distances to vote, Freedom House issued the following statement:
“The CNE’s systematic interference in Sunday’s elections reinforces that electoral fraud has become part of the Maduro regime’s state policy to stifle dissent,” said Carlos Ponce, director of Latin America programs. “The CNE is making it practically impossible for opposition voters to cast their ballots, further demonstrating a total disregard for democratic processes.”
Venezuela is rated Not Free in Freedom in the World 2017, Not Free in Freedom of the Press 2017, and Partly Free in Freedom on the Net 2016.