CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's voting system is world class, but campaign excesses by President Hugo Chavez, government and opposition officials are reminiscent of elections in the 19th century, a top electoral official said.
Venezuelans choose a new parliament on Sunday after a tight race that will return the opposition to the National Assembly after they boycotted the last elections in 2005, and could even give them a majority of votes, if not seats.
Vicente Diaz, the most critical voice among the leadership of the National Electoral Council, said participation by all political parties showed a growing confidence among politicians and voters in the reliability of the system on election day.
But he said Chavez had repeatedly crossed the line during the campaign by appearing alongside candidates at presidential events and using speeches broadcast on all television and radio stations to attack opponents.
Some Venezuelans fear delays or confusion over tallying the results from Sunday's elections, given a complicated two-sheet ballot paper and the fact that some candidates will be elected directly while others will be chosen by parties.
But most observers say the final results will be reliable.
"We have an electoral system, from the point of view of procedure, technology, guarantees and audits that is worthy of the 21st century, and we have the campaign control of the 19th century," Diaz told Reuters in an interview late on Tuesday.
"In the 19th century, candidates competed against the state," Diaz said, sitting below a portrait of Venezuelan independence hero Simon Bolivar riding through a stormy night.
During nearly 12 years in office, Chavez has amassed far-reaching powers, and most branches of the state are openly politicized and appear to work in favor of the president.
Diaz said Chavez had also overused a law under which he can force all broadcasters to transmit his speeches, which are often several hours long. He uses the tool, known as a "cadena," extensively during campaigns.
"The cadenas promote government works and impede the opposition from transmitting its message," Diaz said in his office, where two flatscreen TVs showed the main government and main opposition news channels.
Diaz said he had made six requests for investigations into the president's campaign behavior, and that all of them had been rejected by his peers in the council.
NO THREAT OF BOYCOTT
By ignoring the abuses, Diaz said, the council effectively allowed public figures from both ends of the political spectrum to mix campaigning and official events.
Watch Radio Stations Online
Venezuelans choose a new parliament on Sunday after a tight race that will return the opposition to the National Assembly after they boycotted the last elections in 2005, and could even give them a majority of votes, if not seats.
Vicente Diaz, the most critical voice among the leadership of the National Electoral Council, said participation by all political parties showed a growing confidence among politicians and voters in the reliability of the system on election day.
But he said Chavez had repeatedly crossed the line during the campaign by appearing alongside candidates at presidential events and using speeches broadcast on all television and radio stations to attack opponents.
Some Venezuelans fear delays or confusion over tallying the results from Sunday's elections, given a complicated two-sheet ballot paper and the fact that some candidates will be elected directly while others will be chosen by parties.
But most observers say the final results will be reliable.
"We have an electoral system, from the point of view of procedure, technology, guarantees and audits that is worthy of the 21st century, and we have the campaign control of the 19th century," Diaz told Reuters in an interview late on Tuesday.
"In the 19th century, candidates competed against the state," Diaz said, sitting below a portrait of Venezuelan independence hero Simon Bolivar riding through a stormy night.
During nearly 12 years in office, Chavez has amassed far-reaching powers, and most branches of the state are openly politicized and appear to work in favor of the president.
Diaz said Chavez had also overused a law under which he can force all broadcasters to transmit his speeches, which are often several hours long. He uses the tool, known as a "cadena," extensively during campaigns.
"The cadenas promote government works and impede the opposition from transmitting its message," Diaz said in his office, where two flatscreen TVs showed the main government and main opposition news channels.
Diaz said he had made six requests for investigations into the president's campaign behavior, and that all of them had been rejected by his peers in the council.
NO THREAT OF BOYCOTT
By ignoring the abuses, Diaz said, the council effectively allowed public figures from both ends of the political spectrum to mix campaigning and official events.
Watch Radio Stations Online
