BOGOTA (Reuters – Venezuelan local and regional elections were held in better conditions than any previous elections, the head for an EU observation mission stated on Tuesday. He declined to state whether it was free or fair.

Sunday’s vote marked the fourth time that the opposition had run for office in the past four years. However, the party won a crushing defeat and the government took at least 18 of the 23 governorships.

Although the US has made long-standing accusations against President Nicolas Maduro’s socialist government, many saw the EU observers as providing some legitimacy to the process.

Maduro stated that observers had performed the mission “very well” thus far. However, other top members of Maduro’s ruling Party referred to them as “peepers”, and said they arrived in the country carrying a written report.

Isabel Santos (the head of mission) said that the elections were conducted in better conditions than previous ones, but still had some criticisms about the manner they were done.

Santos explained that candidates were subject to bans for administrative reasons. There have also been suspensions and the most well-respected leaders or members have been removed.

The use of “control points”, which were banned by the government, was witnessed by observers, she stated. She also said structural weaknesses remain.

Santos refused multiple times to comment on whether or not the vote was fair and free. He also demanded that observers’ final reports be kept confidential and not used to make political statements.

She said that some polling stations experienced delays in their opening and closing hours, but the voting machines were reliable.

Santos stated that the national electoral authority has become more balanced politically than in twenty years. Balance is crucial for building trust.

Santos stated that the campaign also featured an extended state resource use and unrestricted access to media outlets.

Opposition members had raised concerns about the fairness in constant state television coverage of government candidates and the sale of sub-subsidized foods before elections.

Santos was saddened by the killing of one Zulia vote-taker, who was waiting to be called. Santos also stated that one election observer and two human Rights workers suffered from “aggressions” in Lara state.

Santos reported that more than 1,000 polling locations in 23 States were visited by 136 observers. The team will issue a final report late in January or early in February.