Caracas mayor pulling out of poll

Last Updated: Sunday, 17 October, 2004, 12:28 GMT 13:28 UK


Caracas mayor pulling out of poll

By Iain Bruce
BBC , Caracas

The mayor of Caracas in Venezuela says he is withdrawing his candidacy for re-election in local elections, amid opposition concerns about the poll. Alfredo Pena says that what he calls "massive state fraud" is being planned.

Meanwhile, thousands of opposition supporters marched through the streets of Caracas to demand a fair vote. It was a much smaller protest than those a few months ago, when the opposition was campaigning to vote President Hugo Chavez out of office.

But like the mayor of Caracas, a former government supporter, these opposition activists insist the danger at the local elections at the end of the month is just as great.

No observers

Their main accusation is that the authorities are manipulating the electoral register.

But Venezuela's Vice-President, Jose Vicente Rangel, says there is no possibility of fraud, and the fact Mayor Pena is standing aside simply shows how badly the opposition is divided - between those who know they will lose, and others who still think they have a chance.
(snip/...)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3750926.stm

Apparently the only Presidents who are going to be allowed to serve out their elected terms in sublime peace will be the right-wingers from now on.

All others will be hounded and harrassed, and in Chavez's case, even kidnapped (until loyal supporters got him back).

What a pity the brats have stollen the power in the world.