Vote Audit Confirms Chavez Recall Win Fair - Official

[cal04]

Venezuela (Reuters) - An audit done by international observers has confirmed that President Hugo Chavez beat a recall referendum and that the vote was fair, an electoral council official said on Saturday.

International observers carried out additional checks after the opposition rejected the results and said electronic voting machines had been manipulated to give Chavez a victory in the Aug. 15 vote. If he had lost, Chavez would have been removed from office.

"The audit is completed. ... The results we have obtained with this check are totally compatible with results of the electoral council," Organization of American States chief Cesar Gaviria told reporters.
The audit found only small discrepancies and no evidence that anyone had tampered with the electronic polling system, monitors said.

Observers had hoped the referendum would end more than two years of political conflict between ex-army officer Chavez and the opposition, who say his reforms are driving the world's No. 5 oil exporter toward Cuba-style communism.

Elected in 1998, Chavez has faced fierce resistance to the social policies he says are helping to more fairly distribute Venezuela's oil wealth. His foes say he has tightened his grip on key institutions, including the courts and the electoral council, in a bid to stay in power.

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=6035683

[Fenris]

1. Some leaders don't need to cheat to win.

Viva Chavez!

[Vladimir]

2. Good n/t

[Old and In the Way]

3. Nice to have those paper trails to confirm a contested election.

Wish we cared enough about our democracy to employ the same. We're fast becoming the Banana Republic States of America.

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. kick

[Zhade]

5. VIVA CHAVEZ!

Good for him. FUCK THE OLIGARCHY.

And shame on the Dems who aided the opposition. That will NOT be forgotten.

[bushalert]

6. Good news !!!

Give 'em hell Chavez!!!!

[IndianaGreen]

7. Viva Chavez!

Down with the oligarchs, and screw the American politicians that support them!

[Judi Lynn]

9. You'd better believe it!

Some people don't know how to feel about someone who actually has his heart in the right place.

They prefer someone who will serve their selfish interests, and shaft the people who have no one to speak up for them.

[goforit]

8. HATS OFF TO THE FREEDOMS OF VENEZUELA!!!

Way to go Chavez and Jimmy Carter monitoring organization!!!

A huge lesson for all the Neo-cons!!!

May Sharon also know his future as well through this example!!!!

[tlcandie]

10. Yay Chavez!!!

:bounce: :toast: :party:

[bluestateguy]

11. Now it's our turn to say: YOU LOST! GET OVER IT!

Ha Ha!!

[PaDem]

12. Someone should forward this info to Larry Klayman.........

that dope running for senate from FLA.

[goforit]

13. Klayman?...Yep, a dope, for a guy who coward-out on Cheney's energy

scandal against the American people.

And look who's paying the bill.

[Pastiche423]

14. VIVA CHAVEZ!

It is such wonderful news that a good man won. My heart is smiling!

I am so happy for the people of Venezuela. Maybe they can blow some democracy our way?

[markses]

15. Nah nah nah nah...nah nah nah nah...hey hey hey...goodbye!

Loser oligarchs sent packing.