Venezuela Extends Electoral Registration for Citizens Living Abroad

The extension of the deadline responds to a request from President Nicolas Maduro in order to guarantee more participation of Venezuelans living overseas

The rector of the National Electoral Council (CNE, in Spanish), Tania D’Amelio, said that the special period for updating information and enrolling in the electoral register will be extended until February 25 for Venezuelan citizens living abroad.

Initially scheduled until February 20, the extension of the deadline responds to a request from President Nicolas Maduro in order to guarantee more participation of Venezuelans living overseas in the presidential election on April 22.

The head of State also instructed to open the consulate in the U.S. city of Miami to attend to Venezuelans who want to enroll in the electoral register.

D’Amelio recalled that the Organic Law of Electoral Processes establishes as the only requirement to vote abroad that Venezuelan citizens had a legal residence in the country where they will exercise their right.

In statements to Venezolana de Television, the CNE rector noted that the registration process is open all year around, but a special period is open now prior to the presidential election, for which purpose 531 offices are available nationwide.

Since February 10, more than 180,000 citizens have updated their information or have registered to participate in the presidential election.

The official added that 12 political organizations have possibilities to present their candidates for the election.