Venezuelan president rejects electoral fraud accusations

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Monday rejected fresh opposition accusations of alleged electoral fraud during the recall referendum in 2004.

Enrique Mendoza, former leader of the opposition coalition known as Democratic Coordinator, told the local newspaper El Nacional on Sunday that he would present evidence next month to prove Chavez won in a "fraudulent" manner in the referendum held in Aug. 15, 2004.

Chavez said the opposition will not be able to present "one single piece of evidence" of fraud or of "ghost votes" because "itis all a lie."

He also denied that the National Election Council (CNE) altered the referendum's results in his favor.

He also said Venezuela electoral system is one of the most transparent in the world.

Chavez's victory in the recall referendum was jointly endorsed by international observers such as former US President Jimmy Carter and the representatives of the Organization of American States (OAS).

Chavez, elected in 1998 and reelected to a six-year term in 2000, has been accused by his opponents of wrecking Venezuela's economy. He has already experienced two general strikes since 1998 and survived a 48-hour military coup in April 2002. The recall referendum campaign was the latest challenge to him.

Source: Xinhua