1/ Trump is turning up the heat on #Smartmatic, suggesting software they used during the election of Hugo Chavez is now linked to #DominionVotingSystems.
I've already highlighted some of these ties.
But now I want to present information that is more favorable to Smartmatic.
I've already highlighted some of these ties.
But now I want to present information that is more favorable to Smartmatic.
2/ In 2004, Smartmatic won a $128 million contract to manage a referendum on the recall of Chavez. Polls showed Chavez facing defeat and the opposition was confident of victory.
Smartmatic provided the ballot machines and ensured the votes were ready on the night of Aug 15.
Smartmatic provided the ballot machines and ensured the votes were ready on the night of Aug 15.
3/ Two weeks after the referendum, on Aug 27, the US embassy sent a report back to Washington, describing what happened that night.
The following tweets are taken almost verbatim from that report, and they shed some new light on Smartmatica and their current CEO Antonio Mugica.
The following tweets are taken almost verbatim from that report, and they shed some new light on Smartmatica and their current CEO Antonio Mugica.
4/ Just after midnight, international observers were invited to witness the tabulation. Election chief Jorge Rodriguez stood at the door and personally vetted each observer.
Rodriguez made a quick speech and then asked a general for the envelope with the security key.
Rodriguez made a quick speech and then asked a general for the envelope with the security key.
5/ Rodriguez opened the envelope and entered the code to instruct the server that had received transmissions from the voting machines.
A few moments later, the total showed that Chavez had won.
The calculations took a few seconds and the results stunned most of those present.
A few moments later, the total showed that Chavez had won.
The calculations took a few seconds and the results stunned most of those present.
6/ It was as if a bomb had exploded.
Smartmatic President Antonio Mugica, whose company provided the electronic voting system, was visibly shocked and asked whether the results were confirmed.
Mugica would "receive the academy award" if his surprise at the results was an act.
Smartmatic President Antonio Mugica, whose company provided the electronic voting system, was visibly shocked and asked whether the results were confirmed.
Mugica would "receive the academy award" if his surprise at the results was an act.
7/ That is almost verbatim from the embassy's report.
Keep in mind the embassy had already told Washington that Smartmatica had likely engaged in corruption to get the election contract.
They didn't trust Mugica.
Keep in mind the embassy had already told Washington that Smartmatica had likely engaged in corruption to get the election contract.
They didn't trust Mugica.
8/ But they did believe Mugica was shocked by Chavez's win that night.
Something to consider when Smartmatica and Mugica are accused of rigging elections today.
Okay, that's it. I hope you found it interesting.
Something to consider when Smartmatica and Mugica are accused of rigging elections today.
Okay, that's it. I hope you found it interesting.
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