How Venezuela Rigged Their Elections

Overview of Venezuela's Electoral Fraud

Venezuela's elections have been marred by allegations of widespread fraud, particularly during the recent presidential elections. The government, led by Nicolás Maduro, has been accused of manipulating the electoral process to maintain power.
Key Tactics Used in Electoral Fraud
1. Control of Electoral Institutions

The National Electoral Council (CNE) is heavily influenced by the Maduro regime, leading to biased election management.
Key opposition figures, such as María Corina Machado, were barred from running, limiting competition.

2. Lack of Transparency

Election results were announced without providing detailed voting tallies, raising suspicions about their accuracy.
The CNE declared Maduro the winner with 51.20% of the vote, despite opposition claims that their candidate, Edmundo González, won with 67%.

3. Intimidation and Repression

The government has used threats and violence against voters and opposition members to suppress dissent.
Reports indicate that security forces have arrested thousands of protesters and opposition leaders, creating a climate of fear.

International Response

Many countries and organizations have condemned the elections as fraudulent, calling for the results to be rejected.
The United Nations and various human rights organizations have criticized the lack of electoral integrity and the repression of political freedoms in Venezuela.

Conclusion

The combination of institutional control, lack of transparency, and intimidation tactics has allowed the Maduro regime to manipulate elections and maintain its grip on power, undermining democracy in Venezuela.