Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 3, 2007

Contact: Megan Morrissey, Venezuela Information Office, 202-347-8081 ext. 602

Referendum Confirms Democracy Alive and Well in Venezuela


In a national referendum on Sunday, December 2nd, a constitutional reform proposal was narrowly struck down by the Venezuelan electorate, which voted 51% 'No' versus 49% 'Yes' to the changes.

The results were released by the National Electoral Council of Venezuela in the early hours of December 3rd, at which point President Chavez quickly accepted the results, publicly congratulating the 'No' bloc and reiterating his committment to democracy.

It was Venezuelan voters, though, who most forcefuly proved their dedication to democratic procedure in the referendum by taking an active role in determining the course of national politics. This was the eleventh electoral process to occcur under President Chavez, and the first defeat for the administration at the polls. Voter turnout on Sunday was about 55% (compared to 75% in presidential elections last December 2006).

Olivia Goumbri, Executive Director of the Venezuela Information Office, told the BBC that the referendum "shows the level of democratic participation in Venezuela, the ability of the Venezuelan people to vote for and against the reforms, to be calm and accept the result."

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NOTE: The Venezuela Information Office is dedicated to informing the American public about contemporary Venezuela, and receives its funding from the government of Venezuela. More information is available from the FARA office of the Department of Justice in Washington DC.

Venezuela Information Office
2000 P Street NW, Suite 240, Washington, DC 20036  tel: (202) 347-8081  fax: (202) 223-8029