Venezuela ready for municipal elections

Venezuela is "perfectly ready" to carry out the municipal elections on Sunday, the country's National Electoral Council (NEC) President Tibisay Lucena said Wednesday. The Sunday elections will be held in a climate of tranquility as the NEC, the Venezuelan Public Prosecutor Office and the security forces have taken preventive measures, Lucena said in an interview with state-run Venezuela de Television (VTV). "We are ready to organize and manage the electoral process by installing polling stations at 6:00 a.m., so Venezuelans can decide the country's future," He said. "The Public Prosecutor Office will deploy more than 2,500 officials all over the country to handle any irregularity at the voting centers." The Bolivarian National Armed Forces have deployed some 80,000 soldiers throughout the country to safeguard public order for the elections, together with 76,000 from other security forces on their way, Vladimiro Padrino, chief of the National Armed Force Strategic Operation Command, announced on Wednesday. The government will install 335 Peace and Justice Stations to ensure tranquility before and after the Sunday elections, said Miguel Rodriguez, Minister of Interior and Justice. Lucena said Tuesday Venezuela's automated electoral system had improved significantly, as votes can be easily audited and verified. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said he feels "proud of voting because we have more transparent and perfect electoral system in the world." He encouraged Venezuelans to vote because all this effort is "to strengthen and consolidate democracy." On Sunday, Venezuelans will have their say on 2,792 posts, including 335 mayors of municipalities, two metropolitan mayors and 2,455 local councilors for a four-year term.