VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION TESTS APPEALS MECHANISM

C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 001542

SIPDIS


NSC FOR CBARTON
USCINCSO ALSO FOR POLAD
STATE PASS USAID FOR DCHA/OTI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/11/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM VE
SUBJECT: VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION TESTS APPEALS MECHANISM

REF: CARACAS 1507

Classified By: Abelardo A. Arias, Political Counselor,
for Reasons 1.4(b) and (d).

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Summary
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1. (U) The Coordinadora Democratica conducted on May 8 a
nationwide simulation of the May 27-31 appeals process
("reparos") for the presidential referendum signatures.
Press reports estimate that about 950,000 people attended the
one-day event, which was carried out peacefully. Signers
were invited to go to 2,500 centers to check the status of
their signature in the petition drive against President Hugo
Chavez. Sumate representatives announced that evening they
had registered some 25,000 volunteers to assist during the
appeals process. On May 10, the National Electoral Council
(CNE) published the results of the signature verification
process in a 136-page supplement in at least one newspaper.
The "success" of the simulation, however, was quickly
overtaken by the GOV's revelation that it had captured 89
alleged Colombian paramilitaries near Caracas. End summary.

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Signature Drill Reports Solid Turnout
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2. (U) On May 8, the Coordinadora Democratica (CD) held a
simulation to prepare for the May 27-31 appeals process for
the signatures collected to petition for a recall referendum
against President Hugo Chavez. Venezuelans who signed
petitions in November 2003 went to some of the 2,500
locations where they signed to confirm whether their
signatures had been validated or not by the National
Electoral Council (CNE). Luis Enrique Palacios of the NGO
Sumate, which helped organize the event, told reporters May 8
that more than a million people had gone to check their
signatures (other press reports estimated 950,000). Sumate
is now analyzing the participation to help Chavez opponents
focus efforts on those who did not attend. Maria Corina
Machado of Sumate told the press they had collected
information on 25,000 volunteers to assist with the appeals
process at the end of May.


3. (U) Those who attended the event received printouts from
Sumate with the digital image of their signature and its
status as determined by the CNE. Newspapers ran dozens of
testimonials from frustrated Venezuelans whose signatures
were not accepted. One woman reported that her signature and
thumbprint appear totally normal on the Sumate image, but the
CNE rejected the signature without sending it to the appeals
process. The only reason given for the rejection on the CNE
website is "no error," meaning that no formal rejection code
was assigned to the signature. Another woman verified her
information in the electoral registry beforehand and signed
exactly as it appeared; her signature was rejected without
appeal however, because the daily tally sheet corresponding
to her signature was disqualified for "having amendments."
Sumate provided persons whose signatures have been rejected
without recourse to appeal with forms to complete so this
alleged disenfranchisement will be documented.


4. (C) CD representative Jorge Casado told Polcouns May 9 he
thought the event was a success. He pointed out that even in
the remote state of Amazonas they were able to get 25 percent
turnout. Heavy rain in some states was the only limiting
factor, said Casado. He asserted that the turnout was
affected because persons who had already learned their
signatures were valid stayed home. A new concern, according
to Casado, is that the government will counter the abstention
of these types with Chavez supporters porting false
identification. He also complained that in Carabobo,
Henrique Salas Romer was becoming an obstacle and his
Proyecto Venezuela had given only lukewarm support to the
simulation.

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CNE Publishes Identity Numbers
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5. (U) Preparing for the appeals, the CNE published in the
May 9 edition of Caracas daily Ultimas Noticias a 136-page
supplement listing the identity numbers of citizens whose
signatures were rejected or accepted in the Caracas District
and the states of Miranda and Vargas. Each page lists more
than 6,000 identity numbers in minuscule type and indicates
the number of the voting center at which the signature can be
appealed. Signers have also been able to check the status of
their signature on the CNE website (www.cne.gov.ve),as well
as that of Sumate (www.sumate.org).

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Comment
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6. (C) The opposition used the simulation as practice for a
complicated process, an opportunity to recruit volunteers,
and as a demonstration of popular support. The story of
alleged Colombian paramilitary activity near Caracas has
dampened the bounce the CD could have hoped for from this
"success." As on other occasions, the GOV has set the agenda
and forced the opposition to react to it.

SHAPIRO


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2004CARACA01542 - CONFIDENTIAL