The UN Human Rights Committee has directed Venezuela to maintain the voting tallies from the disputed July presidential election, amidst claims that Maduro’s victory is illegitimate. The opposition asserts that their candidate, Edmundo González, won with 67% of the votes. Multiple countries have recognized González as president-elect, while Maduro prepares for his third term, rejecting claims of fraud.

The United Nations Human Rights Committee has formally instructed the Venezuelan government not to destroy the official voting tallies from the contentious presidential election held in July. This directive comes amidst ongoing disputes regarding the election results, where the ruling National Electoral Council (CNE) proclaimed President Nicolás Maduro as the victor but failed to substantiate its claims with the necessary voting tallies.

The opposition, supported by accredited election monitors, has published over 80% of the voting results, asserting that Edmundo González, their candidate, emerged as the clear victor with approximately 67% of the votes. The UN committee is investigating claims of electoral fraud initiated by a Venezuelan voter, which has heightened scrutiny on the CNE.

Despite the pressure, the CNE, known for its strong ties to the Maduro administration, has yet to release the voting data and accuses a computer hack on election night for its delay. In stark contrast, opposition groups have swiftly made available the tallies they compiled,

Reliable independent sources, including renowned media outlets such as the New York Times and CNN, corroborate the opposition’s figures. However, President Maduro has rejected these findings, labelling them as fraudulent, and continues to move forward claiming his legitimacy as the election winner.

International tension is escalating as numerous countries, including the United States and several Latin American nations, recognize González as the rightful president-elect. IHR Legal, the law firm representing the voter who sparked the UN inquiry, has described the case as groundbreaking, suggesting that it may affirm Maduro’s lack of legitimacy as president.

The situation in Venezuela has been tumultuous, particularly surrounding the presidential elections that have served as a flashpoint for political unrest. In July, the elections were marked by widespread allegations of fraud and irregularities, with the National Electoral Council’s supervision being heavily criticized due to its connections with the Maduro administration. The lack of transparency from the CNE regarding the required voting tallies has prompted international organizations to intervene, highlighting the heightened scrutiny on democratic processes within the nation. This context underscores the significance of the UN’s directive, marking a critical moment in Venezuela’s ongoing political struggles.

In conclusion, the UN ordered Venezuela to preserve the election tallies as part of an investigation into alleged electoral fraud, emphasizing the contested nature of the July presidential election results. The refusal of the Maduro administration to release the data continues to fuel doubts about its legitimacy. Amidst increasing international recognition of Edmundo González as the true president-elect, this situation raises crucial questions about Venezuela’s political future and democratic integrity.

Original Source: www.bbc.com

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