Good luck everyone! Show the rest of the world how it's done...
<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Sunday, June 01, 2003 By: Rainbow Sally
Date: Sat, 31 May 2003 09:03:08 -0700 From: Rainbow Sally rainbowsally@zippnet.net To: Editor@VHeadline.com Subject: Two Hard Tests And Only One Shot To Do It
Dear Editor: Here is a copy of the Venezuelan 1999 Constitution which is available at VHeadline. Spanish www.vheadline.com English www.vheadline.com
There are three elements of this on which I would like to comment:
Article 72: All magistrates and other offices filled by popular vote are subject to revocation. Once half of the term of office to which an official* has been elected has elapsed, a number of voters constituting at least 20% of the voters registered in the pertinent circumscription may extend a petition for the calling of a referendum to revoke such official's mandate. When a number of voters* equal to or greater than the number of those who elected the official* vote in favor of revocation, provided that a number of voters* equal to or greater than 25% of the total number of registered voters* have voted in the revocation election, the official's mandate shall be deemed revoked, and immediate action shall be taken to fill the permanent vacancy in accordance with the provided for in this Constitution and by law. The revocation of the mandate for the collegiate bodies shall be performed in accordance with the law. During the term to which the official* was elected, only one petition to recall may be filed.
What can be seen from the above is that referenda are not to be taken lightly and though they must be honored as a non-violent means to redress grievances, they are certainly not to be used to harass an elected official unnecessarily. 1. One out of five registered voters must endorse the referendum. This is the first of two tough tests. 2. 25% of the registered voters must vote to validate the revocation election AND the number of votes for recall must exceed the number that elected the official. This is also a tough test. 3. If the petition qualifies, and the recall vote fails, another attempt may not be made until after the next regular election cycle.
If the opposition manages to pass the above two tests, it is clear that their case is valid.
If on the other hand they fail, it will be interesting to see by what margin they fail. I hope all parties involved understand the seriousness of this undertaking and do their best to assure an honest record of the upcoming events is shown in history books for all future Venezuelans to consider in their management of the delicate affairs of state and justice.
If the opposition even gets close, this is an indication of serious problems that are worthy of Venezuela's attention and respect. And the opposition should wait patiently for this respect ... if in fact it is due ... because it will probably take time for everyone to get used to the idea that peace can also be a means to an end.
Good luck everyone! Show the rest of the world how it's done.
Rainbow Sally rainbowsally@zippnet.net