1993 Venezuelan general election
Presidential election
← 1988 5 December 1993 1998 →
Turnout60.16%
 
Nominee Rafael Caldera Claudio Fermín
Party CVGC Democratic Action
Popular vote 1,710,722 1,326,287
Percentage 30.46% 23.60%
 
Nominee Oswaldo Álvarez Paz Andrés Velásquez
Party Copei LCR
Popular vote 1,276,506 1,232,653
Percentage 22.73% 21.95%
President before election

Ramón José Velásquez
Democratic Action

Elected President

Rafael Caldera
CVGC

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General elections were held in Venezuela on 5 December 1993.[1] The presidential elections were won by Rafael Caldera of National Convergence, who received 30.5% of the vote.[2] Democratic Action remained the largest party in the Chamber of Deputies and Senate, which were elected on separate ballots for the first time.[3] Voter turnout was 60.2%, the lowest since World War II.[4]

Background

The election campaign was dominated by the corruption charges brought against sitting President Carlos Andrés Pérez, which led to his impeachment on 20 May 1993. He was replaced by Octavio Lepage as Acting President until Ramón José Velásquez was elected by Congress as interim President on 5 June. An atmosphere of economic and political crisis prevailed, with general economic problems compounded by a banking crisis, and a declining legitimacy of the traditional main parties, Democratic Action and Copei. The previous year had seen two coup attempts in February and November, reflecting widespread popular discontent with the political establishment.

Rafael Caldera, founder of Copei, rejected his old party and led a "National Convergence" of 17 smaller parties — including the Movement for Socialism, the Democratic Republican Union, the People's Electoral Movement and the Communist Party of Venezuela. His campaign promises included pardoning the 1992 coup plotters, including Hugo Chávez.

The presidential election was held under first-past-the-post voting, while the Congressional elections were the first held under a mixed member proportional representation system,[5] modelled on the German system, with some variations.[6] The traditionally dominant Democratic Action and Copei "supported it because it looked the most like the system under which they had prospered".[5] The MMP system continued to use the old formula of assigning seats to states based on multiplying the total population by 0.55%, with a minimum of three deputies from each state (thus over-representing sparsely populated states).[5] Half each state's seats were then elected in single seat districts, and the remainder by closed party list. Parties could receive up to five additional seats based on their national vote total, to provide greater proportionality.[7]

Results

President

CandidatePartyVotes%
Rafael CalderaNational Convergence1,710,72230.46
Claudio FermínDemocratic Action1,325,28723.60
Oswaldo Álvarez PazCopei1,276,50622.73
Andrés VelásquezRadical Cause1,232,65321.95
Modesto RiveroAuthentic Renewal Organization20,8140.37
Nelso Ojeda ValenzuelaIndependent Popular Force18,6900.33
Luis Alberto MachadoIntelligence Revolution6,8510.12
Fernando BiancoCommunity on the Move5,5900.10
José Antonio CovaNew Democratic Generation4,9370.09
Gabriel Puerta AponteMovement for Popular Democracy3,7460.07
Rhona OtolinaFormula 13,6330.06
Romuló Abreu DuarteGuiding Venezuelan Spiritual Force1,5540.03
Jesús TangNational Party1,2510.02
Blas García NúñezVenezuelan Ecological Party1,1980.02
Juán ChacínDemocratic Organised Power of Renewal Structure9810.02
Carmen de GonzálezNationalist Civic Crusade8660.02
Felix Díaz OrtegaNew Order7800.01
Temistocles FernándezTotal Independent6400.01
Total5,616,699100.00
Valid votes5,616,69996.35
Invalid/blank votes212,5173.65
Total votes5,829,216100.00
Registered voters/turnout9,688,79560.16
Source: Nohlen, PDBA

Senate

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Democratic Action1,165,32224.0816–6
Copei1,103,89622.8114–6
Radical Cause1,005,81620.789+9
National Convergence650,35213.446New
Movement for Socialism526,19710.875–
Authentic Renewal Organization41,1570.8500
People's Electoral Movement26,5450.5500
Democratic Republican Union25,7320.5300
National Integration Movement23,4590.480New
Communist Party of Venezuela18,8620.3900
New Democratic Generation14,1590.290–1
National Opinion13,7940.2800
Independent Popular Force12,9080.270–
Formula 112,5240.2600
Emerging People10,7090.220–
PCI10,0920.210–
Emerging People9,9010.200–
Community Development9,6560.200–
Nationalist United Front8,7910.180–
National Renewal Movement8,3220.170–
Advanced Popular8,2560.170–
Movement for Popular Democracy8,1170.170–
OCIM6,3520.130–
GIRASOL5,6470.120–
Active Democratic Nationalist Organisation5,0890.110–
Venezuelan Ecological Party4,6130.100–
UVI4,4940.090–
Renewal4,2080.090–
Popular Democratic Force4,0020.080–
MERY3,8830.080–
Community on the Move3,8300.080–
Patriotic Union3,0180.060–
Socialist League2,8580.060–
New Order2,7720.060–
CARICUAO DECIDE2,5970.050–
U2,5740.050–
FT2,4400.050–
The People to Power2,2970.050–
MACARIO2,2830.050–
CUMANAGOTOS2,0600.040–
Democratic Organised Power of Renewal Structure2,0450.040–
Social Project1,9790.040–
Democratic Factor1,9720.040–
Independent Nationalist Organisation1,9380.040–
OI1,8970.040–
Integral Democratic Movement1,8440.040–
Out of Love for Venezuela1,7330.040–
Common Sense1,6780.030–
National Party1,4780.030–
ASI1,3870.030–
UO1,3130.030–
Electoral Renewal Integration1,3100.030–
Independents with Change1,2660.030–
National Integration Front1,2150.030–
FACTOR E1,1400.020–
Guiding Venezuelan Spiritual Force1,1320.020–
AGAIN1,1070.020–
DCARA1,0980.020–
DECISION COJEDENA1,0620.020–
Republican Movement1,0600.020–
FIE1,0180.020–
CHACAO 929440.020–
Union for Progress (Venezuela)9240.020–
CPPP8890.020–
IDEAL8640.020–
Nationalist Civic Crusade8620.020–
New Republic8490.020–
NI8300.020–
MAR7980.020–
VO7940.020–
PND7850.020–
Independent Action Force7810.020–
MIPO7660.020–
CD7250.010–
UCII6780.010–
FOVE6540.010–
Socialist Workers' Party6490.010–
CIPREA6440.010–
Agricultural Action6300.010–
VCI5830.010–
M935750.010–
DDP5460.010–
PEM5390.010–
MAP5050.010–
MIAP4820.010–
PUNI4820.010–
FURIA4260.010–
MIO4150.010–
JL3960.010–
MRI3840.010–
UPC3640.010–
MDIPG3570.010–
MONCHO3500.010–
LVP3500.010–
EREDE3440.010–
PENSAMIENTO NACIONAL3400.010–
VIA3190.010–
New Time3180.010–
MIL3080.010–
DAR3040.010–
Majoritarian Independent Committee3030.010–
GRITO VECINAL2890.010–
BP2860.010–
FIG2770.010–
VEA2750.010–
Independent Committee2580.010–
EPI2510.010–
PODER 72320.000–
PINDD2300.000–
REPO2250.000–
MIP2090.000–
GEVE1980.000–
MIRE1980.000–
Independent Solidarity1970.000–
National Authentic Party1950.000–
FIC1880.000–
ARDE1810.000–
MIIDEA1740.000–
CRA1730.000–
CDA1720.000–
ACONA1720.000–
RA1470.000–
MDV1330.000–
CIN1240.000–
FUPSSB1210.000–
MINERO1180.000–
SOL1180.000–
AVI1160.000–
MIDV1140.000–
ISA1130.000–
FE1110.000–
MICA940.000–
GEIJM930.000–
LVY890.000–
MNVI840.000–
CADEM800.000–
CP750.000–
PEIP750.000–
GDP720.000–
MPN660.000–
TNSD570.000–
MAICITO540.000–
ORI500.000–
EEF 94390.000–
Apureño Independent Movement360.000–
FEG360.000–
GAP250.000–
YIP250.000–
MIPAYCA240.000–
MAICITO210.000–
CIV110.000–
MIDEAS110.000–
OIPLR100.000–
Republican Democratic Party50.000–
MEIAMA40.000–
AUV30.000–
PE10.000–
Total4,840,047100.0050+4
Valid votes4,840,04783.03
Invalid/blank votes989,16916.97
Total votes5,829,216100.00
Registered voters/turnout9,688,79560.16
Source: Nohlen, Cavuta

Chamber of Deputies

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Democratic Action1,099,72823.3455–42
Copei1,065,51222.6253–14
Radical Cause974,19020.6840+37
National Convergence651,91813.8426New
Movement for Socialism509,06810.8124–
Authentic Renewal Organization41,0850.871–1
National Integration Movement29,4330.621New
People's Electoral Movement27,6350.591–1
Democratic Republican Union26,2990.561–1
Communist Party of Venezuela21,1800.450–1
New Democratic Generation16,6800.351–5
National Opinion13,7250.290–1
Formula 113,0910.280–2
Independent Popular Force12,7300.270–
Emerging People12,5250.270–
Community Development10,5410.220–
Movement for Popular Democracy9,6800.210–
Nationalist United Front9,3330.200–
PCI8,2930.180–
National Renewal Movement8,2230.170–
Advanced Popular7,7540.160–
GIRASOL6,8150.140–
OCIM6,6850.140–
Renewal5,5380.120–
GP5,4590.120–
Venezuelan Ecological Party5,3630.110–
UVI4,8530.100–
Active Democratic Nationalist Organisation4,8420.100–
Socialist League4,0630.090–
MELI3,9950.080–
Community on the Move3,5580.080–
Popular Democratic Force3,4090.070–
Patriotic Union3,3410.070–
CARICUAO DECIDE2,9570.060–
Common Sense2,9150.060–
New Order2,7590.060–
The People to Power2,5460.050–
FT2,5160.050–
Democratic Factor2,4230.050–
U2,2810.050–
OI2,2320.050–
National Party2,0590.040–
Out of Love for Venezuela1,9990.040–
Social Project1,9860.040–
Democratic Organised Power of Renewal Structure1,9750.040–
MACARIO1,9620.040–
Integral Democratic Movement1,9100.040–
UO1,6540.040–
CUMANAGATOS1,6110.030–
Electoral Renewal Integration1,5550.030–
National Integration Front1,4950.030–
FACTOR E1,4360.030–
Guiding Venezuelan Spiritual Force1,4120.030–
MRM1,3770.030–
ASI1,3670.030–
Republican Movement1,2290.030–
Independent Nationalist Organisation1,1190.020–
AGAIN1,0920.020–
DE CHACAO 939910.020–
FIE9880.020–
Union for Progress9780.020–
MAR9750.020–
Nationalist Civic Crusade9700.020–
IDEAL9440.020–
MONCHO9310.020–
PND9290.020–
Independent Action Force9140.020–
NI9090.020–
UCII8830.020–
MIPO8550.020–
CD8160.020–
VO8140.020–
Agricultural Action8000.020–
M937930.020–
DCARA7660.020–
GIO7550.020–
Independents with Change7190.020–
DECISION COJEDENA7190.020–
TMSD7020.010–
LIDER6690.010–
Socialist Workers' Party6290.010–
LSN6210.010–
FURIA6130.010–
UPC5480.010–
DDP5360.010–
Organised Independent Movement5180.010–
VCI5060.010–
MIAP4960.010–
National Authentic Party4870.010–
CPPP4430.010–
PUNI4400.010–
EREDE4090.010–
ACONA4010.010–
MDIPG3720.010–
MOREPO 343520.010–
MRI3510.010–
DAR3440.010–
EEF 943310.010–
Majoritarian Independent Committee3190.010–
MS3160.010–
VIA3130.010–
ISA3100.010–
VIENE3080.010–
Independent Solidarity3010.010–
LVP2990.010–
MIDV2960.010–
GRITO VECINAL2780.010–
New Republic2710.010–
FIC2580.010–
Independent Committee2510.010–
MIL2470.010–
AMIGOS DE ANZOATEC2400.010–
PODER 72370.010–
PENSAMIENTO NACION2330.000–
CRA2260.000–
CRA2190.000–
EPI2180.000–
MIIDEA2070.000–
REPO2030.000–
CIPREA2020.000–
MIRE1990.000–
GEVE1980.000–
GEIJM1960.000–
MNVI1920.000–
PINDD1910.000–
MAP1880.000–
RA1790.000–
GAP1710.000–
FIG1390.000–
CIN1360.000–
ORI1290.000–
MDV1290.000–
FUPSSB1220.000–
PPIM1100.000–
MINERO1020.000–
ARDE1010.000–
SOL990.000–
MPN970.000–
DCA950.000–
LVY850.000–
New Time820.000–
VEA810.000–
PEM810.000–
BP800.000–
MICA740.000–
EEE740.000–
MAI690.000–
PEIPP580.000–
MOPAIS570.000–
MALU550.000–
FEG520.000–
CADEM430.000–
CEMI290.000–
MEIAMA240.000–
MIPAYCA230.000–
FOVE220.000–
YIP160.000–
Apureño Independent Movement110.000–
OIPNR100.000–
MAICITO100.000–
OAP90.000–
CIV80.000–
MIIDEA40.000–
JL40.000–
AUV30.000–
Republican Democratic Party10.000–
Total4,711,218100.00203+2
Valid votes4,711,21880.82
Invalid/blank votes1,117,99819.18
Total votes5,829,216100.00
Registered voters/turnout9,688,79560.16
Source: Nohlen, Cavuta

Aftermath

Andrés Velásquez of Radical Cause gained 22%, and "filed complaints of irregularities, saying that officials from his party were prevented from witnessing vote counting."[8]

References

  1. ^ Dieter Nohlen (2005) Elections in the Americas: A data handbook, Volume II, p555 ISBN 978-0-19-928358-3
  2. ^ Nohlen, p582
  3. ^ Nohlen, p575
  4. ^ Nohlen, p556
  5. ^ a b c Crisp, BF % Rey, JC (2003) "The Sources of Electoral Reform in Venezuela", in Shugart, Matthew Soberg, and Martin P. Wattenberg, Mixed-Member Electoral Systems - The Best of Both Worlds?, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003. pp. 173-194(22)
  6. ^ Crisp and Rey(2003:189)
  7. ^ Crisp and Rey (2003:188)
  8. ^ Venezuela Apparently Returns Former President to Power Los Angeles Times, 6 December 1993
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