Venezuela: the repetition of the elections in Barinas "could undermine" the powers of the electoral body, says the rector of the CNE

This is what Antonio Ledezma says about the elections in Venezuela 1:56

(CNN in Spanish) -

The repetition of the elections in the Venezuelan state of Barinas, the birthplace of Hugo Chávez, ordered by the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ), "could undermine" the powers of the National Electoral Council (CNE), he considered this Wednesday the rector of that entity Enrique Márquez.

Regarding the decisions of the Electoral Chamber, he warned on Twitter that "they could compromise the very essence of the Electoral Power, such as the protection of the sovereign's will expressed through suffrage."

He added that the performance of the CNE in electoral processes and the protection of the integrity of the vote as a fundamental instrument of citizen participation are "unalterable" elements in democracy.

• Supreme Court of Justice of Venezuela orders the convening of new elections in the state of Barinas

"We must not allow this essence to be disturbed, as we would be damaging the very genesis of citizen participation," said Márquez.

In addition, he considered that, to enhance the value of the vote, the separation of powers is "essential" "as a support for a rule of law and social justice."

Finally, the rector emphasized that the beginning of the voting, the development of the process, the closing of the polling stations, the scrutiny and the act of proclamation of the elected officials are “sacred” functions of the electoral body, “which should not be hampered by interference outside the CNE ”.