The Chairperson of the NEC and his delegation visited Venezuela to attend the International Seminar and sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Electoral Council (Consejo Nacional Electoral: CNE) of Venezuela (hereinafter referred to as the CNE).

The International Seminar “Innovation and Technological Vanguard: Automated Voting Systems” was hosted by the CNE in Caracas on August 29, 2012, where Venezuela, the Republic of Korea and India had an opportunity to introduce their electronic voting and counting systems. The seminar served as a forum where these countries got together to exchange information and experience of advanced technologies for voting and counting processes.

The NEC also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the CNE on August 31, 2012. The two institutions hoped that the signing of MoU would be an opportunity to contribute to the advancement of the electoral process and culture by sharing election-related experience and information. 

The activities that the two institutions would possibly carry out under the MoU include:

-       Organize and host meetings and seminars regarding the election management and other matters of common interest

-       Exchange information and experiences of election management;

-       Perform cooperation activities decided by the two institutions ; and

-       Promote exchanges, assignments and visits of member of staff, practitioners and experts.

Meanwhile, the signing of MoU between the NEC and the CNE has been broadcast in detail on national TV in Venezuela.

The NEC’s participation in the seminar and signing the MoU with the CNE of Venezuela is believed to have provided a solid foundation to launch a new set of initiatives to promote development of democracy and advanced electoral culture.