[NYTr] Venezuela Ready and on Alert for Big Referendum Vote Sunday
 
Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 05:22:32 -0600 (CST)

Via NY Transfer News Collective  *  All the News that Doesn't Fit
 
Prensa Latina, Havana
http://www.plenglish.com

Venezuela Assures Vote Will be Transparent and Fair; 

Int'l Observers from 40 Nations to Monitor Referendum

Caracas, Dec 1 (Prensa Latina) The Venezuelan Electoral Council assured
on Saturday that there are full guarantees for credibility in Sunday's
referendum on constitutional reform.

CNE (National Electoral Council) Rector Humberto Castillo told press
international observers will supervise the process.

Each bloc was able to select observers that will be allowed verify
closely "what an electoral process in Venezuela is," the official said.

Representatives of around 40 nations will work as observers and be able
to travel throughout the country and check the electoral development.

In relation to the participation as an observer of Bolivian ex
President Jorge Quiroga, known by his position against President Hugo
Chavez, Castillo said it shows impartiality and clarity.

"We have an automated electoral system, fully audited, and nobody has
been able so far to find it ineffective," he said.

CNE member German Yepez highlighted that at a central level, there is a
headquarters with specialized personnel to respond to any situation
during the electoral process.

Yepez spoke against the calls to twist the results and create violence,
because those actions far from help the democratic process.

hr iom mem mf PL-6

                                ***

Over 16 Million Expected to Vote in Venezuela Referendum

Caracas, Dec 1 (Prensa Latina) The Venezuelan referendum on
constitutional reform will be decided tomorrow by 16.1 million voters.

There will be 11,132 voting centers, of which 10,547 will be automated
with 32,939 machines.

A total of 10,213 biometric identification machines will be used in
eight federal entities, plus indelible inking to exclude the
possibility of a double vote.

In the popular consultation the statistics reflect six states with more
than a million people registered in the census, among them Zulia,
Miranda, the Capital District, Carabobo, Lara and Aragua.

With less than 300,000 voters there will be Nueva Esparta, Vargas,
Apure, Cojedesand others.

Also, nearly 60,000 Venezuelans are registered to vote abroad, which
will be possible with the activation of 125 voting centers.

The consultation is directed to endorse changes to 69 articles and 15
transitory dispositions to the Magna Carta, with a view to supporting
the transition of the country toward a socialist model. 

hr tac mem mf PL-14

                                ***

Venezuela on Alert for Vote Violence

Caracas, Dec 1 (Prensa Latina) Venezuelan Armed Forces will be ready to
react to any violent attempt to take the country, Minister of Defense
Gen Gustavo Rangel Briceno affirmed Friday.

In statements to media, the Army Head assured that in the preparation
for the constitutional referendum several scenes have been evaluated
and the institution is in conditions to respond to the violations of
the stability.

Rangel recalled that Armed Forces staff and the national reserve
currently have more than 150,000 trained people.

300,000 troops are added from other armies of combatants, who are
involved in the Republic Plan, dedicated to guarantee security in the
several stages of the electoral process.

For that reason, he added, "we will be able to react before anything"
and he recalled that violent people "will have to respond to the law".

hr gdb mem mf PL-7
                                 *
=================================================================
 NY Transfer News Collective     *    A Service of Blythe Systems
           Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us
            Our main website:   http://www.blythe.org
   List Archives:       http://blythe-systems.com/pipermail/nytr/
   Subscribe:     http://blythe-systems.com/mailman/listinfo/nytr
=================================================================