Venezuela Election Authority Shoots Down Maduro Recall Bid
By VOA News September 22, 2016
Venezuela's National Electoral Council dismissed calls for a recall vote against unpopular socialist President Nicolas Maduro in 2016, but left the door open for activists seeking his ouster.
The electoral commission, after holding a meeting Wednesday with members of the opposition, said in a statement the referendum could be held as early as the first quarter of 2017, but only if they successfully collect about 4 million voter signatures – 20 percent of total voters – during a three-day period next month.
Opposition leaders decried the decision to move back the date of the referendum, saying it is meant to keep Maduro in power.
"We reject the anti-constitutional elements of this announcement by the election board," said Jesus Torrealba, head of the opposition Democratic Unity coalition.
The conditions set for the timing of the referendum seem to back up Torrealba's claims. If Maduro lost the referendum vote prior to January 10, it would automatically trigger a new election. However, if it is held after January 10, Maduro's vice president would take over and finish out his term, which ends in 2019.
The government responded by accusing opposition leaders of forging signatures on its initial signature collection drive of one percent.
"There will be no referendum in 2016, it's not under discussion. They are cheats," the Socialist Party's No. 2, Diosdado Cabello, said on state TV.
The news of the postponed referendum came on the same day bus drivers took to the streets in protest against the country's deepening financial crisis.
Hundreds of bus drivers, about half the city's buses, clogged the streets of Venezuela's capital, Caracas, to demand higher pay and protection from violence.
The bus drivers said they plan to continue their protest Thursday if their demands are not met.
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