Book contents
- Why Elections Need Parties
- Why Elections Need Parties
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Preface and Acknowledgments
- Abbreviations
- Part I Forging Electoral Autonomy in Latin America and Africa
- Part II De Facto Electoral Autonomy and Partisan Inclusion
- Part III Insulation without Independence
- 6 Venezuela
- 7 Kenya
- 8 Conclusion
- Appendix: Fieldwork Interviews
- References
- Index
6 - Venezuela
The Gap between De Jure and De Facto Electoral Autonomy
from Part III - Insulation without Independence
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 May 2026
Book contents
- Why Elections Need Parties
- Why Elections Need Parties
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Preface and Acknowledgments
- Abbreviations
- Part I Forging Electoral Autonomy in Latin America and Africa
- Part II De Facto Electoral Autonomy and Partisan Inclusion
- Part III Insulation without Independence
- 6 Venezuela
- 7 Kenya
- 8 Conclusion
- Appendix: Fieldwork Interviews
- References
- Index
Summary
Chapter 6 investigates the erosion of electoral integrity in Venezuela, focusing on the transformation of the Supreme Electoral Council (CSE) from a partially autonomous institution into a politically captured body under Hugo Chávez and his successors. The chapter shows how reforms that insulated the National Electoral Council (CNE) from partisan influence, which intended to protect independence, paradoxically weakened transparency and accountability. Without mechanisms for party consultation, internal checks declined, administrative discretion expanded, and opportunities for manipulation increased. Drawing on extensive fieldwork and archival research, the chapter analyzes controversial decisions related to districting, voter registration, technology adoption, and election timing. It argues that Venezuela illustrates the risks of insulation without meaningful stakeholder engagement and provides a powerful contrast to cases where partisan inclusion stabilizes electoral governance.
Keywords
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- Why Elections Need PartiesManaging Free and Fair Elections in Latin America and Africa, pp. 159 - 193Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2026
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