In a significant defeat for Venezuela’s democracy, a new voting system installed by the Chavista government, called ‘los morochas’, which disproportionately benefits Chavista incumbents, was affirmed by Venezuela’s Supreme Court, an appointed body stacked with Chavista loyalists. It is expected to raise Hugo Chavez’s representation in the Congress – where he already has a majority – to Kim Il Sung levels of popular ‘support.’ The bell tolls for Venezuelan democracy with this ruling.

Non-government organizations like Sumate have stated that this is a blow for democracy and there is no chance of fair elections being held now. This is a very meaningful issue to Venezuela’s blogging community and all who blog in the name of democracy – a roundup is here:

Miguel Octavio has a group of news links and notes that anyone who thought the Supreme Court would rule any other way, given its composition., was dreaming.

Daniel Duquenal has additional details of fraud in the electoral registry, and some polling figures as well.

Francisco Toro has a long item filling out the details of the currently emerging democratic opposition and what it’s up against here. He also has a Sumate-EU update here.

Gustavo Coronel has a comprehensive account of where Venezuela is heading, including a section on trouble in the electoral component.