The Venezuelan Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) initiated the so-called Republic Plan on Tuesday to provide security for the November 21 elections, in collaboration with electoral officials and other state organizations.
According to the FANB's strategic operational commander, Domingo Hernández, more than 356 thousand military personnel will be in charge of protecting the 14,262 polling stations located around the country, as well as the remaining structures and infrastructure that support the CNE platform.
During the deployment of media and military troops on Caracas' Paseo de Los Próceres, the military high command stated that the country's media and telecommunications businesses' networks and repeater antennas will also be secured.
The FANB will also secure the safety of members of overseas observation missions as well as electoral power officials.
In this sense, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino emphasized the civic aspect of the Republic Plan's deployment to accompany voters during the November 21 elections.
The holder emphasized that the FANB has a clear responsibility of accompanying logistics, custody, and security of the electoral infrastructure, as well as ensuring the country's stability and the development of the democratic event in a peaceful atmosphere.
Remigio Ceballos, Minister of Internal Relations, Justice, and Peace, stated that troops from the armed forces will be joined in surveillance and protection operations by more than 98,000 police officers and other security personnel.
Ceballos stated that, as part of the laws enacted to ensure citizen tranquillity during the elections, the sale and consumption of alcoholic drinks in public places, as well as the carrying of firearms and large concentrations, will be prohibited beginning next Friday.
More than 21 million Venezuelans will go to the polls in the so-called mega-elections to vote the South American country's 23 governors and 335 mayors, as well as members of regional legislative assemblies and city councils.
During the Plan Repblica activation, CNE President Pedro Calzadilla emphasized the need for the electoral authorities to maintain constant cooperation with the military high command and security institutions to assure the process's success.
