Home > 1.1.2.2 Periodic update of the register > VENEZUELA - ON THE LEGAL ISSUES RAISED BY DECREE No. 2878 OF 23 MAY 2017 OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC ON CALLING ELECTIONS TO A NATIONAL CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY
 
 
 
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Paragraph 63
 

Such a system can generate negative consequences that infringe international standards on electoral matters and human rights. One significant problem is the way in which electoral registers are prepared. The Code of good practices declares that “the proper maintenance of electoral registers is vital in guaranteeing universal suffrage” and requires that “there must be permanent electoral registers”.However, Article 5 of Decree 2878 states that the registers of the various sectors are made up of the data that institutions, guilds and associations provide to the National Electoral Council. Thus, there are no guarantees on the inclusivity and accuracy of these data, which could be easily manipulated by the bodies which provide the information. As the number of sectorial representatives is not clearly specified in the Decree, and the National Electoral Council is allowed to discretionally group those sectors according to their similarities, the election of representatives of labour sectors poses an important risk for democracy, because it opens the door to negotiation of specific candidatures in exchange for benefits in taxation, permits, or others.