Candidates in Venezuela Consent to Accept Election Outcomes; US-supported Opposition Chooses to Abstain from Agreement Signing

Rewritten Article:

Caracas, June 21, 2024 - In a significant move towards fostering a peaceful presidential election, Venezuelan candidates, including President Nicolás Maduro, have agreed to uphold the July 28 electoral results and commit to maintaining a democratic peace.

During a TV broadcast, the candidates visited the National Electoral Council (CNE) headquarters and signed a nine-point document pledging adherence to the Constitution, electoral laws, and the CNE as the exclusive legitimate authority. The agreement also emphasizes the rejection of violence, defending national sovereignty, and demanding the lifting of US-led sanctions.

Crucially, the agreement requires candidates to acknowledge the CNE's consistent upholding of electoral guarantees and accept the July results as the "will of the people." This commitment is in accordance with the Barbados and Caracas agreements signed in October 2023 and February 2024, respectively.

The agreement was signed by Luis Eduardo Martínez, Antonio Ecarri, Daniel Ceballos, Benjamín Rausseo, José Brito, Javier Bertucci, Claudio Fermín, and Maduro. These candidates represent various center and right-wing political parties.

Despite the agreement, Edmundo González Urrutia, the candidate for the US-backed Unity Platform, declined to attend the meeting and refused to sign the document. González cited disagreements with the imposed electoral results recognition.

Initially an unknown figure, González came to prominence as a late contender for the hardline opposition. He emerged as their "unity" candidate after Manuel Rosales withdrew his candidacy in April.

Candidate Enrique Marquez of the Centrados party was also absent. Marquez argued that the agreement was redundant, and candidates had not been consulted adequately. In response, CNE President Elvis Amoroso criticized the far-right political forces for shunning the agreement and the ensuing potential destabilization of the electoral process.

The July 28 vote will be electronic, with a one-round winner determined by plurality. Political parties will have witnesses at every polling station, participate in several audits, and utilize partial encryption keys to validate results.

Overall, ten candidates, all men, will compete in the presidential election. The Carter Center will send a technical election observation team on June 29, led by Jennie Lincoln, the organization's senior advisor on Latin America and the Caribbean. However, the mission will not conduct a comprehensive assessment of the voting, counting, and tabulation processes due to its limited scope.

Noteworthy, in 2012, former US President Jimmy Carter praised the Venezuelan electoral process as the "best in the world."

Edited by Ricardo Vaz in Caracas.

In 2024, Caracas witnessed a commitment towards a peaceful presidential election, with candidates vowing to abide by the July 28 electoral results.
The agreement was a step towards maintaining democratic peace in Venezuela.
The candidates visited the National Electoral Council (CNE) headquarters and signed a nine-point document.
The document emphasized adherence to the Constitution, electoral laws, and the CNE as the exclusive legitimate authority.
The agreement prohibits the use of violence and defends national sovereignty.
The candidates also agreed to reject external interference, such as US-led sanctions.
The agreement's significance lies in the candidates acknowledging the CNE's consistent upholding of electoral guarantees.
The agreed results are deemed as the "will of the people."
This commitment adheres to the Barbados and Caracas agreements signed in October 2023 and February 2024, respectively.
The agreement was signed by several center and right-wing political parties' candidates.
Edmundo González Urrutia, the candidate for the US-backed Unity Platform, declined to attend the meeting and refused to sign the document.
González cited disagreements with the imposed electoral results recognition.
González came to prominence as a late contender for the hardline opposition.
He emerged as their "unity" candidate after Manuel Rosales withdrew his candidacy in April.
Enrique Marquez of the Centrados party was also absent from the meeting.
Marquez argued that the agreement was redundant and candidates had not been consulted adequately.
CNE President Elvis Amoroso criticized the far-right political forces for shunning the agreement, potentially destabilizing the electoral process.
The upcoming July 28 vote will be electronic, with the winner determined by plurality.
Political parties will have witnesses at every polling station, participate in several audits, and utilize partial encryption keys to validate results.
Ten candidates, all men, will compete in the presidential election.
The Carter Center will send a technical election observation team on June 29, led by Jennie Lincoln.
However, the mission will not conduct a comprehensive assessment of the voting, counting, and tabulation processes due to its limited scope.
Notably, in 2012, former US President Jimmy Carter praised the Venezuelan electoral process as the "best in the world."
In the context of global politics, Caracas remains a significant hub for political debate and migration.
Achieving personal growth, mindfulness, and education-and-self-development opportunities is essential for strengthening the city's future leaders.
For those seeking career-development and job-search assistance, online-education platforms can provide valuable resources and learning experiences.
Beyond education, Caracas residents can engage in sports, such as football, basketball, baseball, hockey, golf, and mixed martial arts, for physical and mental productivity.