CNE rules out Sumate as an independent electoral observer group

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Monday, June 09, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

National Electoral College (CNE) president Romulo Rangel has ruled out the Sumate organization as an electoral observer group, saying that in organizing the opposition signature campaign in January for anything going, it has taken on a political role and is clearly identified with one side of the political spectrum. 

Rangel says he has no problem with Sumate as one of the recall referendum political tendencies but rules out any "independent" role.  

Critics say the Andres Bello Catholic University (UCAB) Observers Network is another organization that has lost its independent observer status because of the partisan stance of its leaders, even though it was on the CNE 2000 mega-elections roster, along with the Federation of Chambers of Industry & Commerce (Fedecamaras). The Bolivarian Workers Front (FBT) is another non-starter ... perhaps the only independent groups are PROVEA and Red de Apoyo.

Among the groups approved for the July 30 and November 8, 2000 elections were the following: Red de Veedores de la UCAB, Asamblea de Dios, A.C de Vecinos por Venezuela, Jovenes por Venezuela, Universidades Nacionales, Grupo social Cesap, Fedecamaras, Grupo Caruao, Federacion de Estudiantes Universitarios, Fundabeo, Frente Bolivariano de Trabajadores (FBT) , Fundacion Dale al Voto, Iniciativa Propia  and five other regional groups.