Hoist the Rigging

None of this is surprising to anyone who has been following the adventures of [T]hugo Chavez.

Hugo Chavez may have lost both the recall referendum in 2004 and the December 2006 presidential election, according to studies conducted by a distinguished multidisciplinary team in Caracas, Venezuela. The team includes the rector of Universidad Simon Bolivar, Frederick Malpica, and a former rector of the National Electoral Council, Alfredo Weil.

Astonishing as it may seem to Americans who believe the contention by Mr. Chavez that he won both elections by a landslide — 58% to 42% in the recall and 61% to 39% in the presidential election — the studies show that since 2003, Mr. Chavez has added 4.4 million favorable names to the voter list and "migrated" 2.6 million unfavorable voters to places where it was difficult or impossible for them to vote.

None of these additions or migrations to the voter-register has been independently audited in Venezuela. Instead, the votes have been electronically counted by Chavez cronies. So when Mr. Chavez announces a landslide, there has been no way to prove otherwise, even though exit polls and other data have consistently shown that half the voters of Venezuela or more oppose Mr. Chavez.

Gee, someone who is manipulating the vote and the legislature so that he can become president for life and gain unprecedented powers? Where have we seen that before?

Still, it is curious to see Jimmy Carter's name pop up putting his stamp of approval on the whole process when there were serious questions about the legitimacy of the votes despite his claims to the contrary. Ed Morrissey has more and wonders whether Carter will provide his methodologies used to verify that the elections were open and fair.