Venezuelan National Electoral Council (CNE) rector Conrado Pérez (left) being interviewed by journalist Clodovaldo Hernandez. Photo: La IguanaTV.
National Electoral Council (CNE) rector Conrado Pérez has addressed concerns about potential cyberattacks, ahead of the upcoming May 25 elections. When asked whether safeguards were in place against attacks like the one that happened during the July 28 presidential election, he explained that results this time will be published polling station by polling station.
During an interview on the program Los Mediodías on La IguanaTV, hosted by journalist Clodovaldo Hernández this Wednesday, May 21, the rector stated the electoral body has completed 88% of the phases in the electoral schedule. “The process has progressed very quickly,” he said. According to Pérez, no incidents compromising the peace or physical safety of candidates have arisen so far during the campaign, which ends on May 22.
Pérez described the far-right organized July 28 cyberattack on the CNE’s information system as “sinisterly, designed to cause serious damage,” but emphasized that it did not alter the election results.
However, despite a Supreme Court ruling ordering the release of the July 28 results, the CNE has yet to publish detailed data after more than nine months. This delay has created an aura of opacity which is criticized by opposition and Chavista analysts alike.
“The vote is secret,” Pérez said. “All citizens participating in this election can be certain their vote will be respected.”
He noted that the relevant website—doe.postulaciones.org.ve, used for candidate submissions by political organizations—remains operational. However, the CNE’s official website has been offline since July 28, despite available technological tools to protect against cyberattacks like the one reported last year.
“Today, the platform is operational for witness accreditations, and all 54 political organizations have nominated candidates,” he added. “The process was completed successfully. We can confirm we’ve fulfilled our [constitutional] obligations to the CNE, political groups, and the nation.”
Pérez expressed confidence that the May 25 results will be published polling station by polling station via the online platform. However, it is important to note that he had made similar assurances in a January 24 La IguanaTV interview regarding the July 28 results, which still remain unreleased.
As a preventive measure against future attacks, he cited the removal of QR codes from voting records, which far-right groups exploited to “disrupt” the July 28 elections.
“Significant harm has been done to the technological progress we’ve achieved over the past 15 years,” he said, though he provided no further details on specific cyberattack countermeasures for the May 25 vote.
(La IguanaTV) with Orinoco Tribune content
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/JRE/AU
