Hugo Chavez Wins 4th Term in Contested Venezuelan Election

[rootX]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-19867445

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has won a fourth term in office after defeating opposition leader Henrique Capriles, electoral officials say.

Turnout was 80% in the hotly contested election and voting was extended beyond the official closing time at some polling stations with long queues.

Electoral council president Tibisay Lucena announced that Mr Chavez took 54.42% of the vote with Mr Capriles on 44.97%.

I find it bit surprising and have my doubts on results.

On the other side of the world, Chavez friend Putin is celebrating his 60th birthday today.
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/russia-celebrates-putins-60th-birthday-fanfare-17416905#.UHJDiGfAFuw

I guess it's a good day for them. But I have to wonder how many more good days they have. It's becoming apparent in case of Putin that he is losing support. I have not come across anything about how Chavez is seen in Venezuela.

 

[Bobbywhy]

Surprising results, considering the popular support shown for Chavez' opponent, Capriles.

But how can anyone know about honesty/integrity of the vote counting machinery? After nearly fourteen years in power it seems possible Chavez could manipulate the totals...and I suspect he would, considering his other behavior traits.

Cheers,
Bobbywhy

 

[BobG]

It was his closest election because of high crime and corruption in government, but massive government spending during the last year is at least as likely a reason for his victory as election fraud.

You have lots of oil and the money that goes with it - and the government controls that.

The oil money goes into providing free medical care, public housing, and other government programs.

At least the part that doesn't get siphoned off through corruption, etc, but there's lots of oil money.

When the government is giving away free money, you'd expect it's leaders to be very popular. A close election is a sign that there's some big negatives that go along with the government programs.

 

[mheslep]

According the US Ambassador to Venezuela under Reagan, http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/329982/what-happened-venezuela-otto-j-reich, Chavez:

o Controls who is able to stand for election via his control of the National Election Commission.

o Controls the media. "...He has jailed, censored, and intimidated journalists and closed press outlets at will. As the head of state, Chávez makes frequent use of a provision allowing the president to call a cadena nacional (national network). This measure places at the disposal of the president all national broadcast outlets; all radio and television stations must carry the president’s appearances, as often as he wishes and for as long as he wants to speak. Chávez so abused this privilege, originally created to allow the president to address the public in case of national emergency, that he averaged 50 minutes on the air for every one minute" of the opposition.

 

[mheslep]

According the US Ambassador to Venezuela under Reagan, http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/329982/what-happened-venezuela-otto-j-reich, Chavez:

o Controls who is able to stand for election via his control of the National Election Commission.

o Controls the media. "...He has jailed, censored, and intimidated journalists and closed press outlets at will. As the head of state, Chávez makes frequent use of a provision allowing the president to call a cadena nacional (national network). This measure places at the disposal of the president all national broadcast outlets; all radio and television stations must carry the president’s appearances, as often as he wishes and for as long as he wants to speak. Chávez so abused this privilege, originally created to allow the president to address the public in case of national emergency, that he averaged 50 minutes on the air for every one minute" of the opposition.

As to the actual vote counting, former President Carter states,
o "As a matter of fact, of the 92 elections that we've monitored, I would say the election process in Venezuela is the best in the world"
http://www.financialpost.com/markets/news/Carter+States+That+Election+Process+Venezuela+Best+World/7279559/story.html

 

[Alfi]

The oil money goes into providing free medical care, public housing, and other government programs.

sounds good to me. Country gains benefiting the people of the country.





I would really like to see an 80% turnout for this next American election.