In Venezuela, the Democratic Action party, a key opposition force, has publicly urged that Sunday’s primaries be postponed. The call comes amid concerns about what they characterize as serious irregularities and a perceived threat to the democratic process if the vote proceeds under those conditions. The party argues that postponement is necessary to guarantee the betterment of living conditions through a transparent, accountable political system that earns the confidence of everyday citizens. The position reflects a broader worry that rushing ahead could undermine the integrity of the electoral exercise and, by extension, the public’s trust in democracy itself.
Central to the petition is a litany of operational issues surrounding the election logistics. The text highlights repeated shifts in polling station locations and repeated questions about voters’ access to reliable information on where to cast their ballots in the crucial hours leading up to the vote. Such dislocations, according to the petition, are likely to depress turnout across significant segments of the population and distort the apparent level of participation in what is supposed to be a broad, inclusive process. The document also raises concerns about unequal resource allocation at the polling sites, alleging that far more election staff and observers were appointed to one faction than to others. Specific figures are cited: a claimed 14,941 members assigned to the Vente Venezuelan party versus only 6,998 for the opposing side, a disparity the petition argues is symptomatic of structural bias in the administration of the primary event.
Moreover, the petition claims that many essential preparatory steps have not yet been completed. It asserts that election materials have not been widely distributed and that several key administrative tasks are still outstanding as the election date approaches. According to the petition, the Primary Commission has acknowledged that distribution will occur on Sunday morning, the 22nd, which, the authors argue, renders the goal of a well-organized, timely process unattainable. They further contend that the handling of the transaction on the very day of the vote adds to concerns about reliability and fairness, undermining voters’ confidence that the process will be executed with the utmost integrity. In this context, the signatories characterize the current situation as a broad challenge for primary education and the democratic system at large, urging the Primary Commission to accept responsibility and to delay the elections until the necessary corrective measures can be enacted. The overarching message is clear: ensure a genuinely broad, orderly, and transparent process in which the will of the majority is respected by all participants. The article concludes with a reaffirmation of Democratic Action’s commitment to a peaceful transition that advances the quality of life and strengthens democracy for Venezuelans across the country.