Regional Election Campaigns Begin in Venezuela

Regional Election Campaigns Begin in VenezuelaCaracas, Nov. 24. -Political parties in Venezuela began campaigning Tuesday for the Dec. 5 regional elections, which will decide two governors and 11 mayors.

Candidates have until Dec. 2 to campaign in a race that pits the United Socialist Party and its allies against the opposition Democratic Unity coalition and the Homeland for All Party.

In some cases, the elections are being held on their regular schedule, while in others, the reason is a vacuum of power, such as in Maracaibo, where former mayor Manuel Rosales was summoned for legal proceedings and decided to flee the country.

The head of the National Electoral Council, Humberto Castillo, said the same regulations used for the Sept. 26 elections would apply to the Dec. 5 elections.

Castillo told Venezolana de Television channel that the electoral council was finalizing its preparations for supervising political propaganda for these elections.

On Monday, Castillo said that those who place messages in the media must be registered with the NEC.

National symbols cannot be used in the campaign, nor can the colours or symbols of any party without proper authorization, he said.

The NEC chief called on opposition forces to carry out respectful and decent campaigns. (Prensa Latina)