Page:Constitution of the Bolivarian republic of Venezuela.djvu/24

26 In state, municipal and parish elections, the right to vote shall be extended to foreign nationals who have reached the age of 18 and have resided in Venezuela for more than ten years, subject to the limitations established in this Constitution and by law, and provided they are not subject to political disablement or civil interdiction.

Article 65: Persons who have been convicted* of crimes committed while holding office or other offenses against public property, shall be ineligible to run for any office filled by popular vote, for such period as may be prescribed by law after serving their sentences, depending on the seriousness of the offense.

Article 66: Voters have the right to obtain from their public representatives, transparent and periodic accounting for their office, in accordance with the offered program.

Article 67: All citizens have the right of association for political purposes, through democratic methods of organization, operation and direction. Their governing organs and candidates for offices filled by popular vote, shall be selected by internal elections with participation of their members. No financing of associations for political purposes with State funds shall be permitted.

Matters relating to the financing of and private contributions to associations for political purposes shall be regulated by law, as shall the oversight mechanisms to guarantee propriety as to the sources and handling of such funds. Law shall regulate as well, political and election campaigns, the duration thereof and spending limits with a view pursuing its democratization.

Citizens*, on their own initiative, and associations for political purposes, shall be entitled to participate in the electoral process, putting forward candidates*. The financing of political advertising and election campaigns shall be regulated by law. The authorities of associations for political purposes shall not enter into contracts with organs in the public sector.