Congratulatory Message On Venezuela's Peaceful, Free, Fair, Inclusive, Credible And Democratic Election Process
Interestingly, these elections were conducted on the 62nd anniversary of the African Liberation Day (ALD). African Liberation Day, also called African Freedom Day or Africa Day, commemorates the struggle of African people against bondage, oppression, colonialism, apartheid and imperialism. The African people's struggle merges with the struggle for Latin American sovereignty, independence and homeland dignity. So it is not a monolithic celebration of only a political struggle. It is a struggle for cultural freedom as well. Africans situate the continent's Liberation Day not only within the context of the African Union but within the context of the struggle of African people worldwide for emancipation.
At least 1, 400 international observers monitored the May 25 elections in Venezuela, according to reports. We note with tremendous admiration the steadfastness, determination, patience and orderliness with which Venezuelan citizens came out and queued to exercise their rights to elect their representatives in tandem with democratic ethos. Though the outcome of the elections was very encouraging, we heard deep concerns of the Venezuelan people regarding attempts by the US government and its proxy institutions, to scuttle the Venezuelan the process. The right to vote during elections is a fundamental human right, and we condemn US policy of destabilization towards Venezuela. We are also concerned about the corporate media's frenzy aimed at misleading public opinion about Venezuela's democracy.
We note also the apprehension that gripped the Venezuelan nation in the run off to the polls characterized by right wing political campaigns that were not issued based but laden with incitements, divisive messages, hate speeches, mudslinging, and imperialist-derived and imperialist-driven manifestoes. We therefore celebrate with all Venezuelans that after such a tensed atmosphere, the elections were brought to a peaceful, credible and fair conclusion.
Here also, we congratulate and commend the leadership, management and staff members of the Venezuelan National Election Council (CNE), for the doggedness, resolute and commitment to a peaceful, free, fair and credible democratic election, culminating into the emergence of representatives that are really the choice of the Venezuelan people. This we note with credible reports that, election officers at all the polling stations across the country were properly trained in the execution of their duties. In addition, they were courteous and provided assistance to incapacitated voters. They informed voters of the voting process in an impartial and transparent manner. The voting process was therefore conducted according to international procedures and guidelines for the conduct of credible democratic elections.
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