by Paul Dobson
in Venezuela

CLAIMS that the Venezuelan electoral ombudsman has banned opposition candidates without reason have been exposed as dishonest.

Jesus Torrealba, spokesman for the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) coalition of 29 opposition parties, wrote on Twitter on Thursday that the disqualifications made it imperative to unite behind his party.

But ombudsman Manuel Galindo Ballesteros explained that the MUD candidates had been disqualified for corruption.

Maria Corina Machado, a prominent ultra-right ex-deputy from the upper classes of Caracas, was disqualified from holding public office for 12 months due to “inconsistencies and the withholding of information which should have been presented in her juridical declaration of her social security payments and allowances which she declared to the National Assembly when she was a deputy.”

Ms Machado, who is also facing charges of conspiracy, vowed to appeal. Her allies in the MUD accused the the government of sexism, claiming the “misogynistic regime” was guilty of “ferocious persecution” against “this brave democratic leader.”

Righ-wing ex-mayors Enzo Scarano and Daniel Ceballos were also disqualified for 12 months. Both mayors were recently imprisoned for their roles in the street violence which left 43 dead in 2014, with Scarano serving 10 months and Ceballos one year. Both were disqualified for financial irregularities while in office.

Ex-Governor of Zulia state Pablo Perez was also disqualified from holding public offices by the Ombudsman for 10 years under Article 105 of the Organic Law of the Ombudsman and the National System of Fiscal Control.

Perez is currently being investigated by the National Assembly for financial irregularities during his mandate in the oil rich State, including the disappearance of 63,567 student grants, payments for public works, and irregularities in the regional health accounts.

“It is positive that following the allegations presented, the first actions are being taken” said Zulia Legislative Council president Magdely Valbuena. “We believe that the proceedings should continue, as the allegations made deserve political, penal, and administrative action due to their severity.”

Also on Thursday, the government announced that it was ending emergency food supply measures instituted earlier this week.