2006 Venezuelan presidential election

none September 2020 Venezuela state presidential 2000 Venezuelan general election 2000 2012 Venezuelan presidential election 2012 3 December 2006 15,921,223 74.69% ( 18.06pp) Chavez-WSF2005 cropped.jpg Hugo Chávez Fifth Republic 7,309,080 62.85% Manuel Rosales, 2008.jpg Manuel Rosales A New Era 4,292,466 36.91% Mapa de las elecciones presidenciales de Venezuela de 2006.svg Results by state. Darker shades indicate higher percentage. President Hugo Chávez Fifth Republic Movement Hugo Chávez Fifth Republic Movement 270px Results by municipality Hugo Chávez #e35462 40–49% #dc3445 50–59% #b82d3b 60-69% #96242e 70-79% #721c24 80-89% #4f1318 90-99% Manuel Rosales #3e7bd1 50–59% #2d68be 60-69% #235195 70-79% Presidential elections were held in Venezuela on 3 December 2006 to elect a president for a six-year term to begin on 10 January 2007. The contest was primarily between incumbent President Hugo Chávez, and Zulia Governor Manuel Rosales of the opposition party A New Era. After winning a recall referendum in 2004, President Chávez positioned himself for re-election in 2006 for a second full term. The opposition did not hold a primary, instead, the candidates reached a consensus into backing the governor of the largest state (Zulia), Manuel Rosales. Chávez benefited from a high popularity, and led most opinion polls throughout the campaign. He went to win re-election by the widest margin by percentage of the popular vote since the 1947 elections, and by the largest margin of votes cast in the history of Venezuela. Candidates There were fourteen candidates in total, making the ballot the largest in Venezuelan history. According to El Universal, this was caused by division among adherents to grassroots Chavismo.Heading for presidential elections. https://web.archive.org/web/20080411125908/http://english.eluniversal.com/2006/08/25/imp_en_pol_art_25A771021.shtml 11 April 2008 El Universal (25 August 2006). Hugo Chávez, incumbent president, representing the Fifth Republic Movement Manuel Rosales, governor of Zulia State, representing A New Era Pedro Aranguren of Movimiento Conciencia de País Carolina Contreras, independent Venezuela Portuguesa Da Silva Isquierdo of Nuevo Orden Social Ángel Irigoyen, of Let Us Break Chains (RC) Isbelia León, of the Strength and Peace Institution Luis Alfonso Reyes Castillo of Organización Juventud Organizada de Venezuela (Joven) Homer Rodríguez, of For Love of Venezuela Carmelo Romano Pérez, Liberal United People Movement Yudith Salazar of Hijos de la Patria Alejandro José Suárez Luzardo of the Partido Sentir Nacional José Tineo, Venezuelan Third Millennium National Party Eudes Vera Tovar, independent Withdrawn candidates Jesús Caldera Infante the former president of FOGADE, representing the New Progressive Alliance. On 29 November, he withdrew his candidacy and backed Rosales.El Universal 29 November 2006 (03:47 PM) Caldera Infante se retira y apoya candidatura de Rosales. Retrieved 29 November 2006es Benjamín Rausseo a stand-up comedian, endorsed by the newly formed "PIEDRA" party. Three weeks before the election, in accordance with a campaign pledge he had made earlier (to stand down if not placed first or second in the opinion polls), he withdrew his candidacy without endorsing either Chávez or Rosales, telling his supporters to vote for either.Terra Dimite opositor que figuraba en encuestas tras Rosales y Chávez https://web.archive.org/web/20080411124951/http://actualidad.terra.es/nacional/articulo/dimite_rosales_chavez_1212560.htm 11 April 2008 . Retrieved 15 November 2006es Primary election Opposition leaders debated on how they could choose a single candidate. Julio Borges, of Justice First, proposed holding primary elections for August 2006.HERNÁNDEZ CLODOVALDO 10 July 2006 Las controvertidas primarias de la oposición venezolana https://elpais.com/internacional/2006/07/10/actualidad/1152482401_850215.html 12 July 2018 El País es 1134-6582 Civil society organization Súmate recommended procedures for a primary, to be held on 13 August 2006, to choose the opposition candidate for the December 2006 presidential elections. Súmate announced primaries for August 13th. https://web.archive.org/web/20110518132504/http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2006/07/08/en_pol_art_08A740643.shtml 18 May 2011 El Universal (7 July 2006). Among the candidates were: Manuel Rosales (A New Era), Teodoro Petkoff (independent), Sergio Omar Calderón (Copei), Wiliam Ojeda (Un Solo Pueblo), Cecilia Sosa (Federal Republican Party), Enrique Tejera París (independent) and Vicente Brito (Republican Movement). Nine other candidates agreed to the terms for holding a primary, confirming their desire to allow the citizens to choose the opposition candidate.Froilán Barrios condenó expresiones de Petkoff. El Universal (7 July 2006). es The main candidates, Julio Borges and Teodoro Petkoff, agreed to withdraw from the pre-candidacy to endorse Manuel Rosales, based on his opinion polling support.Jiménez Maryhen February 2023 Contesting Autocracy: Repression and Opposition Coordination in Venezuela Political Studies 71 1 47–68 10.1177/0032321721999975 236367812 freeManuel Rosales, proclamado candidato opositor http://www.lavanguardia.com/internacional/20060809/51279196307/manuel-rosales-proclamado-candidato-opositor-unico-contra-hugo-chavez.html 12 July 2018 La Vanguardia More than thirty political and civil organizations publicly expressed their support to Rosales. The trade union bureau of Democratic Actions, as well as its regional components and many party leaders, announced that they would support the single opposition candidate in the December elections.January 2024 On 9 August, Súmate announced that the 13 August primary election would not be held, since the candidates had decided to back Manuel Rosales as the single opposition candidate. María Corina Machado said that the primary "initiative accomplished its goal and that Súmate would continue working to ensure clean elections and respect for citizens' rights".Súmate: there will be no primary elections. https://web.archive.org/web/20081201202705/http://english.eluniversal.com/2006/08/09/en_pol_art_09A762463.shtml 1 December 2008 El Universal (8 August 2006). Campaign right vertical 250 ABN-26-11-2006-12.jpg 250 "Red Tide takes Caracas": Pro-Chávez march on multiple avenues Marcha apoyo rosales.jpg 250 Rally in support of Rosales Chávez Chávez's campaign manager Rafael Lacava said that the campaign was to be based on defending Venezuela's national sovereignty and promoting world peace. According to Unión Radio, Lacava added that a campaign theme was to be the "country's freedom to no longer be a North American colony".Unión Radio. Campaña de Chávez estará basada en la defensa de la soberanía. https://web.archive.org/web/20070927210134/http://www.unionradio.com.ve/Noticias/Noticia.aspx?NoticiaId=178792 27 September 2007 (21 August 2006) Retrieved 21 August 2006. es According to the Associated Press, Chávez launched his campaign "with warnings that Washington is trying to undermine December's presidential vote and destabilize Venezuela", saying "I am the candidate of the revolution and without a doubt I am the candidate of the national majority", dismissing other candidates as "tools of the U.S. government".Barbour, Scott. Venezuela's Chavez launches campaign for re-election. Associated Press (12 August 2006). El Universal reports that Chávez said, "In this electoral process there are two candidates only, namely Hugo Chávez and George W. Bush".Chávez: "10 million vote goal is hard to attain". https://web.archive.org/web/20070122233753/http://english.eluniversal.com/2006/08/18/en_pol_art_18A768253.shtml 22 January 2007 El Universal (18 August 2006). Chávez promised that if elected he would personally convoke a midterm recall referendum in the year 2010 without the need for petition signatures as was the case with the 2004 recall referendum, and that he won that recall referendum, he would then call for a referendum to ask the people for indefinite re-election to be put into the constitution.January 2022 On 26 November Chávez made his final rally in Caracas. Reuters estimated that hundreds of thousands participated.Chavez vows to beat the "devil" https://web.archive.org/web/20070331061726/http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=worldNews 31 March 2007 . Retrieved 27 November 2006 Chávez supporters packed several streets. Rosales Rosales said that the backbone of his government program was to be the social arena, saying it will be a "sound and well defined" program, including a "fair allocation of oil revenues by means of two axes– minimum wage for all unemployed and direct contribution to the underprivileged".Rosales's candidacy formally announced. https://web.archive.org/web/20081201084056/http://english.eluniversal.com/2006/08/09/en_pol_art_09A762409.shtml 1 December 2008 El Universal (9 August 2006). The latter being promoted as Mi Negra which is a debit card handed out to the poor with monthly deposits from 20% of oil industry profits. Nevertheless, a poll shows 59% of the Venezuelan people rejected the Mi Negra program, preferring stable jobs.El Nacional 59% de los venezolanos reprueban plan Mi Negra https://web.archive.org/web/20070306012604/http://www.el-nacional.com/entrevistas/Detalle.asp?IdEntrevista=44&IdEntrevistado=33 6 March 2007 . Retrieved 2 June 2006 es According to the Los Angeles Times, Rosales stated that Chávez was vulnerable on his "massive foreign aid programs, government-approved takeovers of land and buildings, and the perception that crime is increasing". Rosales said, "We will distribute land to the peasants, but we will buy it in such a way as to respect the principle of private property, just as we will respect those of human rights and social justice". Rosales would halt oil giveaways, "including sales of discounted oil to Cuba, until Venezuela reduced its high poverty rate".Kraul, Chris. "Chavez's Foes Cancel Primary, Line Up Behind One Candidate." Los Angeles Times (9 August 2006). The Associated Press reports that Rosales accuses Chávez of "overspending on a military buildup" and pledged "to use Venezuela's oil wealth to help the poor and improve education and health care", ridiculing Chávez's "claims of a possible war with the U.S." and saying, "Venezuela's real war should be against rampant street crime".Sanchez, Fabiola. "Rosales Opposition Choice to Face Chavez". Associated Press (10 August 2006). Rosales held several large rallies around the country; the largest being "Las Avalanchas" in Caracas.Bloomberg. Mass Venezuela opposition rally (8 October 2006). Retrieved 2 November 2006. Rallies were held in several states to try to get the Rosales campaign to be heard by as many people as possible. To close his election campaign, Manuel Rosales held a huge final rally in Caracas with an estimate by the Associated Press to be in the hundreds of thousands.Associated Press Anti-Chavez protesters march en masse in Caracas https://web.archive.org/web/20061128031831/http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/americas/11/25/chavez.protest.ap/index.html 28 November 2006 . Retrieved 27 November 2006 No debate held Rosales demanded a public debate, saying Chávez should choose the TV channel where the debate would be broadcast. He also said "I am waiting for him (Chávez) to have a debate with me broadcast by all the TV channels to allow Venezuelans to know what is the project and the vision of the country he has and the project and vision we have". Chávez declared he would not debate Rosales because "the candidates from the opposition do not even have the condition to debate a schoolboy or girl in sixth grade from a Bolivarian school".Prensa Latina. Debate centra campaña opositora en Venezuela. https://web.archive.org/web/20070927004533/http://www.prensalatina.com.mx/article.asp?ID=%7BD6A6A298-3337-430B-8F42-806830DC20FF%7D) 27 September 2007 (24 October 2006). Retrieved 28 November 2006.esGlobovision. Candidato Chávez aseguró que candidatos de la oposición no tienen condiciones para un debate. https://web.archive.org/web/20061103012438/http://www.globovision.com/news.php?nid=40842 3 November 2006 (22 October 2006). Retrieved 28 November 2006.es Slogans and ads Chávez Chávez launched his campaign with a slogan of 10 Millones de votos (10 million votes),El Universal (El Universal 29 October 2006)Caravana del oficialismo en Caracas. Retrieved 11 November 2006 es "y el slogan de los diez millones de votos." On multiple occasions the campaign used the more combative "10 millones por el buche" (10 million votes down their throats). On 17 August 2006, while leading the oath at the national campaign headquarters (Commando Miranda), Chávez acknowledged that 10 million votes would be hard to attain. From 9 October, Chávez campaign used the slogans por amor (for love) and Chávez, victoria de Venezuela (Chávez, Venezuela's victory). They also used the slogan uh, ah, Chávez no se va (ooh, oh, Chávez won't go) from the 2004 recall referendum campaign.El Tiempo. El presidente Hugo Chávez es ahora amoroso y azul. (12 October 2006). Retrieved 29 October 2006. esThe Guardian. "The New-Look Chávez: Lover, People's Poet, Electioneer." (18 October 2006). A poll conducted by Cifras Escenarios reported that 76.7% of Venezuelans liked the love message.Terra. El 76,7 por ciento de los venezolanos aprueba el 'mensaje de amor' de Hugo Chávez. https://web.archive.org/web/20080411124945/http://actualidad.terra.es/internacional/articulo/hugo_chavez_venezolanos_aprueba_mensaje_1156570.htm 11 April 2008 (22 October 2006). Retrieved 29 October 2006 es The English translation of the message is as follows: Always, I have done everything out of love. For the love of trees and rivers, I became a painter. For the love of knowledge, studies, I left my dearest village, to study. For the love of sports I became a ball player. For the love of the motherland I became a soldier. For the love of the people I became President, you made me President. I have ruled these years out of love. For love we did Barrio Adentro. For love we did Mission Robinson. For love we did Mercal. We have done everything for love. There is a lot left to do. I need more time. I NEED YOUR VOTE. YOUR VOTE FOR LOVE. Rosales Atrévete con Manuel Rosales is the Rosales campaign slogan.Atrévete con Manual Rosales. https://web.archive.org/web/20060920181234/http://www.atreveteconmanuelrosales.com/ 20 September 2006 . Retrieved 25 August 2006. ¡Ni el imperio, ni el barbudo! (Neither the [U.S.] empire, nor the [Cuban] bearded one!) is a slogan used by Rosales in launching his campaign, intended to "hit Chávez where the Venezuelan comandante is most vulnerable: his penchant for giving away billions of dollars to foreign countries, while nearly half of the Venezuelan people live in poverty" referring to subsidized oil deals to both Cuba and the United States. "We are not going to be the empire's defenders," Rosales said. "The empire must respect our sovereignty, and we must respect the empire," and "we cannot be looking at societies like Cuba as a model to be copied. We want modernity, transformation, development." Endorsements Chávez 28em Action Force of Base Coordination (FACOBA)Poder Electoral admitió postulaciones de siete candidatos presidenciales. El Universal (19 August 2006). es Action Networks of Community Change (REDES) Active Democracy National Organization (ONDA) Communitary Patriotic Unity (UPC) Emergent People (GE) Everybody Wins Independent Movement (MIGATO) Fifth Republic Movement (MVR) Independents for the National Community (IPCN) Laboral Power (PL) Militants Civic Movement (MCM) Movement for Direct Democracy (MDD) National Independent Movement (MNI) National Socialist Group of Liberation Pro Venezuela (PROVEN) New People Concentration Movement (MCGN) Tupamaro Revolutionary Middle Class (CMR) Union Party Venezuelan Revolutionary Currents (CRV) Rosales 28em A New EraCNE. CNE recibio postulaciones en respaldo a candidatura de Manuel Rosales. (20 August 2006). Retrieved 20 August 2006. es Acción Agropecuaria Fearless People's Alliance (ABP)El Universal Comando por la resistencia da apoyo a Rosales y llama a votar el 3D (9 November 2006) Retrieved 11 November 2006 es Apertura Araguaney Movimiento Popular National ConvergenceConvergencia: Un compromiso de solidaridad. https://web.archive.org/web/20060903093349/http://www.convergencia.org.ve/ 3 September 2006 "Las autoridades convergentes tomaron la decisión de apoyar la candidatura unitaria del gobernador Manuel Rosales con la tarjeta propia de Convergencia." Retrieved 2 September 2006. COPEICopei joins Rosales' campaign team. https://web.archive.org/web/20070125084205/http://english.eluniversal.com/2006/08/21/en_pol_art_21A769217.shtml 25 January 2007 El Universal (21 August 2006). Democracia Renovadora Encuentro Nacional Fuerza Liberal Fuerza Popular Izquierda Democrática Justice First (PJ) Movement for Socialism (MAS) Movimiento Republicano Movimiento Laborista Partido Popular Independiente Pensamiento Nacional PIEDRAEl-Universal Piedra party votes Rosales https://web.archive.org/web/20070122233838/http://english.eluniversal.com/2006/11/22/en_pol_art_22A806623.shtml 22 January 2007 . Retrieved 23 November 2006 Polo Democrático Radical Cause Red Flag Party Solidaridad Solidaridad Independiente Unión Republicana Democrática Un Solo Pueblo Venezuela de PrimeraRoberto Smith steps down on behalf of Rosales. https://web.archive.org/web/20070122233804/http://english.eluniversal.com/2006/08/24/en_pol_art_24A770563.shtml 22 January 2007 El Universal (24 August 2006). Venezuela Somos Todos Calls for abstention Democratic ActionGlobovisión El presidente de Acción Democrática declaró que no se cambiará la línea abstencionista. https://web.archive.org/web/20070213205123/http://www.globovision.com/news.php?nid=35679 13 February 2007 (17 August 2006) Retrieved 20 August 2006 es Opinion polls Polling company Date publishedHugo Chávez (%) Manuel Rosales (%) Evans/McDonough 29 November 2006http://lta.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=domesticNews&storyID=2006-11-29T185801Z_01_N29356088_RTRIDST_0_LATINOAMERICA-ELECCIONES-VENEZUELA-SONDEO-SOL.XML Chávez sería reelecto por amplio margen: sondeo 31 December 2006 Reuters 29 November 2006 Ana Isabel Martínez esJune 2021 medicmedichttp://www.evansmcdonough.com/venezuela/ Venezuelan Polling 1 January 2007 Evans McDonough Company 2006 23 January 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250123121507/http://www.evansmcdonough.com/venezuela/ dead 57 38 Fundación CEPS / Veneopsa ++ 24 November 2006http://www.rnv.gov.ve/noticias/index.php?act=ST&f=2&t=40956 https://web.archive.org/web/20070311193706/http://www.rnv.gov.ve/noticias/index.php?act=ST&f=2&t=40956 dead 11 March 2007 Universidad Complutense ratifica diferencia de 20 puntos a favor de Chávez 31 December 2006 Radio Nacional de Venezuela 24 November 2006 es 59.7 39.6 Zogby International 24 November 2006http://www.cadenaglobal.com/Default.asp?pgm=Detail&Not=123228&Sec=%2068 https://web.archive.org/web/20080411104857/http://www.cadenaglobal.com/Default.asp?pgm=Detail&Not=123228&Sec=%2068 dead 11 April 2008 Encuestadora Zogby: Chávez sería reelecto por amplio margen 31 December 2006 La Cadena Global 24 November 2006 es 60 31 Associated Press-Ipsos 23 November 2006http://www.ipsos-na.com/news/client/act_dsp_pdf.cfm?name=mr061123-2tb.pdf&id=3280 The Associated Press-Ipsos Poll: Venezuela Pre-election Study 31 December 2006 Ipsos Venezuela 24 November 2006January 2018 InternetArchiveBot yes 59 27 Instituto Venezolano de Análisis de Datos 23 November 2006http://actualidad.terra.es/internacional/articulo/chavez_encuestas_otorgan_votos_cara_1231185.htm Las encuestas otorgan a Chávez más del 54% de los votos de cara a las presidenciales 31 December 2006 Terra 24 November 2006 11 March 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070311064448/http://actualidad.terra.es/internacional/articulo/chavez_encuestas_otorgan_votos_cara_1231185.htm dead 54.6 27.5 Observatorio Hannah Arendt* 18 November 2006http://www.eluniversal.com/2006/11/18/elecc_art_73088.shtml Encuesta del Hannah Arendt señala que hay empate técnico 31 December 2006 El Universal 18 November 2006 es 51 49 Penn, Schoen & Berland 15 November 2006http://www.eluniversal.com/2006/11/15/elecc_ava_15A804069.shtml Encuestadora estadounidense da 48% a Chávez y 42% a Rosales 31 December 2006 15 November 2006 es 48 42 Datanálisis 15 November 2006http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm/fuseaction/viewItem/itemID/13861 https://web.archive.org/web/20080411121006/http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/view/13861 usurped 11 April 2008 Chávez at 52.5%, Would Win in Venezuela 1 January 2007 Angus Reid Global Monitor 20 November 2006 52.5 25.5 Centro de Estudios Políticos y Sociales 15 November 2006 58 40 Consultores XXI 15 November 2006 58.8 40 Hinterlaces 9 November 2006http://lta.today.reuters.com/news/NewsArticle.aspx?type=domesticNews&storyID=2006-11-09T183051Z_01_N09361582_RTRIDST_0_LATINOAMERICA-ELECCIONES-VENEZUELA-SONDEO-SOL.XML Chávez mantiene amplia ventaja electoral frente opositor: sondeo 31 December 2006 Reuters 9 November 2006 esJune 2021 medicmedic 45 27 Evans/McDonough 7 November 2006http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm/fuseaction/viewItem/itemID/13724 https://web.archive.org/web/20080411121001/http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/view/13724 usurped 11 April 2008 Chávez Seems Headed for New Win in Venezuela 1 January 2007 Angus Reid Global Monitor 8 November 2006 57 35 Instituto Venezolano de Análisis de Datos 1 November 2006http://www.prensalatina.com.mx/Article.asp?ID=%7B945F57F1-3DD0-4AEA-8AEB-10D9C2F20AD7%7D&language=ES Delineada victoria electoral de Chávez en Venezuela 31 December 2006 Prensa Latina 1 November 2006 Miguel Lozano https://web.archive.org/web/20070312183655/http://www.prensalatina.com.mx/Article.asp?ID=%7B945F57F1-3DD0-4AEA-8AEB-10D9C2F20AD7%7D&language=ES 12 March 2007 es dead 53.2 28.1 Keller y Asociados+ 2 November 2006http://www.24horaslibre.com/internacionales/1162497376.php Encuesta registra empate técnico entre Hugo Chávez y candidato opositor 31 December 2006 24 Horas Libre 2 November 2006 es dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070930224046/http://www.24horaslibre.com/internacionales/1162497376.php 30 September 2007 52 48 Escenarios 1 November 2006http://www.rnv.gov.ve/noticias/index.php?act=ST&f=2&t=40056 https://web.archive.org/web/20070311193759/http://www.rnv.gov.ve/noticias/index.php?act=ST&f=2&t=40056 dead 11 March 2007 Más de 70% de los venezolanos cree que Chávez ganará las elecciones 1 January 2007 Radio Nacional de Venezuela 1 November 2006 63.3 26 Ceca 23 October 2006http://www.unionradio.com.ve/Noticias/Noticia.aspx?noticiaid=184642 Para Ceca persiste empate técnico entre Chávez y Rosales 1 January 2007 Unión Radio 23 October 2006 es dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070927210127/http://www.unionradio.com.ve/Noticias/Noticia.aspx?noticiaid=184642 27 September 2007 39.5 41.3 Zogby International 23 October 2006http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm/fuseaction/viewItem/itemID/13591 Support for Chávez Still High in Venezuela 1 January 2007 Angus Reid Global Monitor 26 October 2006January 2018 InternetArchiveBot yes 59 24 Instituto Venezolano de Análisis de Datos 12 October 2006http://actualidad.terra.es/nacional/articulo/chavez_goza_mayoria_intencion_voto_1141480.htm Chávez goza de la mayoría en intención de voto según encuesta 1 January 2007 El Nacional 14 October 2006 es 30 November 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20061130184252/http://actualidad.terra.es/nacional/articulo/chavez_goza_mayoria_intencion_voto_1141480.htm dead 51.5 22.7 Penn, Schoen & Berland 16 September 2006http://www.globovision.com/news.php?nid=37997 Encuesta revela vulnerabilidad de Chávez de cara al 3 de Diciembre: H.Chávez:50% M.Rosales:37% 1 January 2007 Globovisión 16 September 2006 es dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061128215213/http://www.globovision.com/news.php?nid=37997 28 November 2006 50 37 Datanálisis 13 September 2006http://www.lineacapital.com.ar/?noticia=16323 Encuesta: 58% de los venezolanos votaría por Chávez 1 January 2007 Línea Capital 13 September 2006 es 11 March 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070311071322/http://www.lineacapital.com.ar/?noticia=16323 dead 58.2 17.4 People's Daily +++ 25 August 2006http://english.people.com.cn/200608/25/eng20060825_296754.html 10 presidential candidates to vie for Venezuelan presidency 1 January 2007 People's Daily 25 August 2006 58.9 19.3 Miami Herald +++ 20 August 2006http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/columnists/15314572.htm Opposition candidate takes distance from 'empire' 1 January 2007 Miami Herald 20 August 2006 Andrés Oppenheimer Andrés OppenheimerJanuary 2018 InternetArchiveBot yes 35 25 (*) Technical tie (+) Results are political segmentation, not voter intentionDiaz, Sara (El Universal 5 November 2006) La última palabra en las elecciones la tienen los indecisos https://web.archive.org/web/20061110214326/http://noticias.eluniversal.com/2006/11/05/pol_art_58740.shtml 10 November 2006 . Retrieved 25 November 2006 es "Keller afirma que fue mal interpretado cuando explicó que el tamaño del mercado de Chávez es de 52% mientras que el de Rosales es de 48%: "No me refería a la intención de voto sino a la segmentación política" (++) This poll was attributed to the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. University's authorities clarified that they have not knowledge about this study. One of members of the CEPS happen to be a university faculty. (+++) Publisher does not mention polling company. International markets International markets largely saw a Chávez victory. Rafael de la Fuente of BNP Paribas stated "The market expects a Chávez victory, they don't even question it". Ricardo Amorim of WestLB Research "The vision I see is that of a 20-point victory... We would be surprised if he does not win". Patrick Esteruelas of Eurasia Group saw Chávez winning by 60 percent. Also arguing that a high turnout would benefit Chávez, Goldman Sachs dismissed the close polling arguing, "Chávez is the favorite to win the election due to vast control of logistical and financial state resources, and influence over key institutions".Sondeos reflejan que mercados foráneos dan por sentado triunfo de Chávez https://web.archive.org/web/20061124043401/http://politica.eluniversal.com/2006/11/21/eco_ava_21A806171.shtml 24 November 2006 , El Universal. Retrieved 21 November 2006 es Conduct Four organisations were given permission to send official election observers to monitor the elections: Carter Center,Terra. Observadores de la UE tendrán plena libertad en las elecciones. https://web.archive.org/web/20080411113648/http://actualidad.terra.es/nacional/articulo/observadores_ue_tendran_plena_libertad_1211773.htm 11 April 2008 (15 November 2006). Retrieved 17 November 2006.es European Union,El Universal 15 November 2006 CNE y Unión Europea firman memorando de entendimiento para observación internacional. Retrieved 15 November 2006 es MercosurGlobovision Mercosur enviará misión de observación a elecciones de Venezuela https://web.archive.org/web/20070928020828/http://www.globovision.com/news.php?nid=42296 28 September 2007 . Retrieved 27 November 2006 es and Organization of American States.El Universal 23 November 2006 OEA se compromete a señalar "cualquier anomalía" que detecte en el proceso electoral. Retrieved 23 November 2006es A fifth organisation was refused permission: Cortes Generales (Spanish parliament).El Universal 29 November 2006 Parlamentarios españoles lamentan su ausencia el 3D. Retrieved 29 November 2006esTerra 29 November 2006 Venezuela rechaza misión observadores españoles en elecciones https://web.archive.org/web/20061217083253/http://actualidad.terra.es/nacional/articulo/venezuela_rechaza_mision_observadores_espanoles_1240004.htm 17 December 2006 . Retrieved 29 November 2006es Polling stations opened at 6:00 a.m. but newspaper El Universal reported that in some electoral centers, voters waited in line since 3:00 a.m.Comenzó a tempranas horas proceso de votación El Universal 3 December 2006 http://www.eluniversal.com/2006/12/03/elecc_ava_03A810887.shtml 3 December 2006 es According to the National Electoral Council (CNE) director Humberto Castillo, the turnout in polling stations was massive, and the conditions were "normal" throughout the country.Massive turnout in polling stations El Universal 3 December 2006 http://english.eluniversal.com/2006/12/03/en_pol_art_03A810995.shtml 3 December 2006 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061205220136/http://english.eluniversal.com/2006/12/03/en_pol_art_03A810995.shtml 5 December 2006 Polling station were scheduled to close at 4:00 p.m. Around 5 p.m., CNE president Tibisay Lucena officially announced the end of the voting process, but gave orders to keep polling stations open if voters still remained in line.CNE declara fin oficial del proceso de votación El Universal 3 December 2006 http://www.eluniversal.com/2006/12/03/elecc_ava_03A811117.shtml 3 December 2006 es Rosales' campaign team denounced irregularities in the closing of some voting booths, saying that Plan República—the armed forces sent to guard the electoral process—would not let some electoral centers be closed even though no voters remained in line.Comando de Rosales denuncia que Plan República impide cierre de mesas El Universal 3 December 2006 http://www.eluniversal.com/2006/12/03/elecc_ava_03A811157.shtml 3 December 2006 es Rosales' spokesman also alerted about the reopening of already closed centers.Comando Rosales denuncia reapertura forzada de mesas cerradas El Universal 3 December 2006 http://www.eluniversal.com/2006/12/03/elecc_ava_03A811169.shtml 3 December 2006 es CNE member Vicente Díaz later reaffirmed that all polling stations without voters in line must be closed, and that no booths under any circumstances could be reopened.Rector Díaz: Toda mesa que no tenga electores en la cola debe estar cerrada El Universal 3 December 2006 http://www.eluniversal.com/2006/12/03/elecc_ava_03A811167.shtml 3 December 2006 es The Carter Center concluded that the elections were "fair, transparent and without serious irregularities".Observing the 2006 Presidential Elections in Venezuela – Final Report of the Technical Mission cartercenter.org A study conducted by Ezequiel Zamora (former vice president of the CNE), Freddy Malpica (former rector of the Universidad Simón Bolívar), Guillermo Salas (USB professor), Jorge Tamayo (UCV professor), Ramiro Esparragoza (UCV professor), four statistics experts and three computer engineers concluded in January 2007 that the 2006 presidential elections presented "important statistical inconsistencies, despite the fact that the opposition candidate recognized the results". They argued that the elections results of many electoral centers showed a very regular statistical distribution of the votes in favor of Rosales in comparison with the dispersion of the votes for Chávez. This suggest that the regularities are the possible result of numerical ceilings embedded in the voting machines. Also there seems to be a regular statistical abstention of 25% in most electoral centers and no signs of dispersion. They have recommended further studies of the data in order to understand the deficiencies of the Venezuelan electoral system and in order to have a "minimum of transparency" in any future electoral process."Frente Patriótico denuncia "topes" en votación de diciembre" El Nacional 27 January 2007, p. A-2.November 2023 Concerns over the Electoral Registry Opposition candidates and political parties voiced concerns over possible inaccuracies of the national electoral registry. Previous elections had shown that there might be a great number of deceased people still on the records.January 2022 A review process started in mid-2006 where the CNE asked all the public universities of Venezuela to conduct also an external review of the electoral registry. However, the review project presented by the Central University of Venezuela, Simón Bolívar University and the Andrés Bello Catholic University was rejected by the CNE. One of the proposed methods by these institutions was comparing census data with the electoral registry.Pereira, Javier. "Detectaron inconsistencias demográficas entre los votantes mayores de 45 años". El Nacional (25 June 2006) p. A-2. es The CNE performed an audit with the aid of seven other public universities and with the Carter Center and two senators from the Belgian parliament observing the audit. The senators were Jacinta de Roeck, independent, and Sfia Bouarfa, from the French-speaking Socialist Party.Sfia Bouarfa: Mission d'observation au Venezuela https://web.archive.org/web/20070927223951/http://sfiabouarfa.typepad.com/mon_weblog/2006/08/mission_dobserv.html 27 September 2007 In June 2006, a privately funded preliminary study by Genaro Mosquera, a statistics professor at the Central University and member of the political party Democratic Action,INFORME DEL COMITÉ EJECUTIVO NACIONAL (C.E.N.) AL COMITÉ DIRECTIVO NACIONAL (C.D.N.) 07 DE AGOSTO DE 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20060820032241/http://www.globovision.com/news.php?nid=35002 20 August 2006 Globovisión (13 August 2006). es claimed that in the last three years the registry grew 27% compare to a population growth of only 7.3% during those years and also a much larger growth than the regular increase of the registry of 12% every five years between 1948 and 2000. One of the flagship government Bolivarian Missions was Mission Identidad, where roughly 5 million citizens were awarded an ID card and the right to register and vote.Mission Identidad https://web.archive.org/web/20061104010604/http://www.misionvenezuela.gov.ve/11Identidad/11Derechoexistir.htm 4 November 2006 . Retrieved 11 November 2006 es "La Misión IDENTIDAD, uno de los más recientes beneficios sociales, posibilitó cedular a 5 millones 76 mil personas, de ellos más de 600 mil venezolanos e inmigrantes extranjeros con muchos años en el país obtuvieron por primera vez su cédula de identidad, primera condición para convertirse de excluidos en ciudadanos, con derecho a participar en procesos electorales, y a existir como personas." Also, by comparing the official population numbers provided with by the Office of National Statistics with the CNE registry, there seems to be more register voters of 45 years of age and over than actual population. According to NGO Ojo Electoral (Electoral Eye) preliminary results of a comparison between the Electoral Registry and demographic projections of the National Institute of Statistics (INE) suggests that inconsistencies in the voter data base cannot modify the results of the election.El Universal. Ojo electoral avala Registro Electoral para elección presidencial. (19 August 2006) Retrieved 24 August 2006 es Other concerns The opposition claimed there was unfair pressure by the government against governmental workers who might not want to support the president. They released a video that showed energy minister and head of PDVSA, Rafael Ramírez, telling state oil workers to back President Hugo Chávez or to leave their jobs. He also said PDVSA is red "from top to bottom"(PDVSA es roja, rojita de arriba abajo). He also said that PDVSA's "workers are with this revolution, and those who aren't should go somewhere else. Go to Miami." Opposition media outlets have been repeating the 14-minute video over and over again. President Chávez said he supported the PDVSA director and recommended him to make the same speech to oil workers 100 times a day.Storm over Venezuela oil speech BBC (Retrieved 6 November 2006) The CNE opened an investigation into Rafael Ramírez following the protests from the oppositionNacional y Política – eluniversal.com and Ramírez was eventually fined.http://www.eluniversal.com/2007/07/14/pol_art_sancionado-ramirez-p_361707.shtml Sancionado Ramírez por el "rojo rojito" 14 July 2007 El Universal 14 July 2007 es Results The 29 January 2007 report from the CNE showed the following results: Hugo Chávez Fifth Republic Movement 7309080 Manuel Rosales A New Era 4292466 Luis Reyes Joven 4807 Venezuela Da Silva New Social Order 3980 Carmelo Romano Pérez Liberal United People Movement 3735 Alejandro José Suárez Luzardo Movimiento Sentir Nacional 2956 Eudes Vera Independent 2806 Carolina Contreras Independent 2169 Pedro Aranguren Movimiento Conciencia de País 2064 José Tineo Venezuelan Third Millennium National Party  1502 Yudith Salazar Hijos de la Patria 1355 Ángel Yrigoyen Let Us Break Chains 1316 Homer Rodríguez Out of Love for Venezuela 1123 Isbelia León Strength and Peace Institution 793 160245 15921223 CNE, OAS Electoral audits Even though a fair number of international observers were present, the CNE instituted an open and public series of audits of the vote results. Each one of the 11,118 automated polling places was equipped with multiple high-tech touch-screen DRE voting machines, one to a "mesa electoral," or "voting table." In total, 32,331 voting machines were in use country-wide. After the vote is cast, each machine prints out a paper ballot, or VVPAT, which is inspected by the voter and deposited in a ballot box belonging to the machine's table. The voting machines perform in a stand-alone fashion, disconnected from any network until the polls close.Consejo Nacional Electoral Manual Operativo para Miembros, Secretaria o Secretario de Mesa Electoral https://web.archive.org/web/20070927013043/http://www.cne.gov.ve/elecciones/presidencial2006/documentos/ManualPresidencial2006.zip 27 September 2007 . Retrieved 28 November 2006 es Voting session closure at each of the voting stations in a given polling center is determined either by the lack of further voters after the lines have emptied, or by the hour, at the discretion of the president of the voting table. Tally scrutinization After the polls close at any voting table, the following steps are carried out: The DRE voting machine is ordered to close the voting session. Tally scrutinization announced. Each voting machine prints an original tally sheet, each has a voter total and the number of votes cast for each candidate cast in that particular machine/table. Each voting machine is connected to the network and the results are sent to the vote counting center. Nine extra tally sheets are printed and distributed to the staff and the six representatives of the candidates that received the most votes. With the original tally sheet in hand the total number of votes cast is compared to the signed up sheet or electoral notebook. Finally, for those machines chosen for the audit (see below) the electoral ballots, or paper trails, are counted one by one to determine if they add up to the totals in the tally sheet. Any anomaly is mentioned in the tally sheet report, signed by the staff and auditors, and then sealed and given to the military for delivery to the CNE. Random paper ballot audit Once the tally scrutinization is complete the staff proceeds to perform a random paper ballot audit of 54.31% of the machines. Each voting center can have anywhere from one to twelve voting machines, occasionally up to fifteen. The staff randomly selects the tables/machines by drawing a number out of a paper hat. The size of the draw is dependent on the number of tables/machines. Number of Machines Number of Machines to be Audited Total Machines audited 1 to 2 1 5,795 3 to 5 2 6,002 6 to 8 3 4,011 9 to 10 4 980 More than 10 5 770 Audited Total Machine Universe Percentage audited 17,558 32,331 54.31% The following procedures occur step by step: Polls closed Tally scrutinization finishes Random paper ballot audit announced The machines are randomly selected drawing numbers out of a paper hat The machine's serial number is recorded The corresponding paper ballot box is selected and opened The paper ballots results for each candidate are openly counted With the original tally printed from the electronic results, both results are audited Any anomaly (even if by one vote) is recorded in the audit report The original audit report is signed by staff and observers, officially sealed and handed to the military for delivery to the CNE Copies are handed over to the representatives of the two highest vote getters. Reactions Shortly after the first set of partial results was broadcast on the night of the election, Chávez appeared on the Balcón del Pueblo (People's Balcony) in the presidential palace to celebrate his victory and address his followers. Chávez announced that a new era has started in Bolivarian development, focused in the expansion of the Bolivarian Revolution.Chávez: El reino del socialismo es el reino del futuro venezolano El Universal 3 December 2006 http://www.eluniversal.com/2006/12/03/elecc_ava_03A811271.shtml 4 December 2006 es That same night, Manuel Rosales made a brief speech to the nation, recognizing that he had been defeated; however, he insisted that the two exit poll studies his supporters had made, and the results of the audits, showed a narrower difference between him and Chávez than was reported by Lucena.Rosales reconoce triunfo de Hugo Chávez El Universal 3 December 2006 http://www.eluniversal.com/2006/12/03/elecc_ava_03A811317.shtml 3 December 2006 es Rosales said in his speech that he and his supporters "will be in streets to prove that the results by the National Electoral Council are not correct, that the gap is narrower that what presented."Rosales: El margen de diferencia de los resultados es más pequeño El Nacional 3 December 2006 http://el-nacional.com/Articulos/DetalleArticulo.asp?idSeccion=64&id=93586 4 December 2006 es https://web.archive.org/web/20061205233453/http://www.el-nacional.com/Articulos/DetalleArticulo.asp?idSeccion=64&id=93586 5 December 2006 dead References External links es Chávez campaign website es Rosales campaign website es Rausseo campaign website es Caldera Infante campaign website es Vera election manifesto Venezuela Presidential election Category:Presidential elections in Venezuela Category:Hugo Chávez Category:Bolivarian Revolution Venezuela Category:December 2006 elections