After his designation as candidate in defense of the political project of Bolivarianism, Jorge Arreaza thanked the GPP and the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) for their trust. | Photo: VTV

Caracas, December 6 (RHC)-- The Great Patriotic Pole (GPP) of Venezuela announced this Sunday the designation of former Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza as candidate for Governor of the state of Barinas in view of the elections to be held on January 9, 2022.

Before the presence of thousands of GPP members, the appointment of Arreaza (who currently serves as Minister of Industries and National Production) was ratified by the head of the campaign command, Diosdado Cabello, who predicted that the former foreign minister is a figure that will strengthen the socio-political development of Barinas.

"We are going to go to the electoral battle and to the victory of the Governorship of Barinas (...) Arreaza is the best candidate, a revolutionary cadre that in his time, confronted U.S. imperialism when he was the minister of foreign affairs," said President Nicolás Maduro.

After his designation as candidate in defense of the political project of Bolivarianism, Jorge Arreaza thanked the GPP and the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) for their confidence in the January elections to be held only in that state.

"We are going to listen to everyone, it is necessary that all levels of the Government listen to the people of Barinas, because they have a lot to say, criticize and build," said Arreaza.  The candidate committed himself to evaluate the performance of all the current officials of the Governor's Office to rectify the necessary points.  "I will govern at the behest of the people of Barinas.  We are not going to isolate ourselves in an air-conditioned office," he pointed out.

"Let's not allow fascism to reach Barinas, because it would be the worst sign for the state.  Tomorrow a new stage begins, we are going to put order and rectification where it is needed," stated Jorge Arreaza.

Elections will be held in the state only for the Governorship, after the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) admitted a constitutional injunction action and ordered to suspend the totalization, adjudication and proclamation, and instructed to call for new elections.

According to judgment No. 78-2021 of the TSJ, there were administrative and criminal proceedings and inquiries against Freddy Superlano, candidate for Governor of the State of Barinas for the so-called Mesa de la Unidad Democrática (MUD), who is also disqualified for the exercise of any public office.

Consequently, the ruling of the TSJ ordered the National Electoral Council (CNE) to establish an agenda for the holding of the elections in Barinas, which was stipulated for next January 9 of next year.

The CNE detailed that the elections will have the Regional and Municipal Electoral Register used in the past elections of November 21, likewise, the new candidates will campaign between December 22, 2021 and January 6, 2022.

Likewise, four audits were set, the voting machine configuration files, machine production, zeroing of the national totalization and telecommunications centers