Opposition trying to confuse people over the referendum

GRANMA. Havana. June 5,  2003 CARACAS.— The National Electoral Council (CNE) has banned all public announcements in the media relating to elections, on the basis that it could confuse Venezuelans.

The decision was adopted last night after the private press media began featuring adverts encouraging the population to vote ‘Yes’ on August 19 when the consultation on the repeal of President Hugo Chávez’ mandate is supposedly to take place.

The government called it false propaganda and accused the opposition of once again lying to the public, as it is fully aware that no referendum is taking place on that date.

The Venezuela Project Movement and the Referendo Sí Association have organized the campaign in an attempt to create an atmosphere of chaos among the population so that they can then call for rebellion and civil disobedience, emphasized national executive representatives.

According to the CNE, whose new members must be selected by Parliament next week, the "Yes" adverts could confuse Venezuelan society as a repeal referendum process has not yet been convened.