Smartmatic software continues to be used in Venezuela
Even though Smartmatic announced its departure from Venezuela in 2017 after denouncing irregularities in the elections of the national constituent assembly, documents from the National Electoral Council would reveal that the company’s software has been used in at least three subsequent elections in the country.
According to information obtained by the Miami Herald, The voting system was used secretly in the municipal elections of December 2017 and in the presidential elections of May 2018.
Although Smartmatic had publicly announced its separation, The CNE and company executives would have agreed to use a third company, Ex-Cle, to hide his involvement.
“They literally used a third company to hide Smartmatic’s involvement, but it was Smartmatic that provided the technicians to… have the software ready to use on the voting machines,” a source told the outlet.
An audit carried out for the 2018 presidential elections had the signature of Juan Valera, the firm’s software manager, identified as an external advisor. However, sources from the electoral body, says the New Herald, They confirmed that Its true function was to install and activate the voting system.
The use of this software in the elections contradicts the company’s official statements, which claimed not to have provided electoral services or licenses for the use of its technology in Venezuela since 2017.
However, audits of the system would expose its continuity in the Venezuelan elections after the controversial constituent process.
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