The Armed forces only have to take care that no one takes the ballots, says Ricardo Patiño

Defense Minister Ricardo Patiño reaffirmed Wednesday that the chain of custody was never broken during the electoral process, and that General Luis Castro Ayala, who ceased his functions, made a “very serious error” when referring to the issue.

He pointed out that the Armed Forces only have to take care that no one takes the ballots, manipulates them and breaks them, but they do not have to participate in the counting process that -in his judgment- that is an activity of the National Electoral Council (CNE).

Castro, a former army commander who was dismissed last Sunday by a presidential order, told reporters that there was a moment when the chain of custody of the electoral material was lost.

Moreover, in a communiqué, General Luis Castro Ayala urged the soldiers not to faint or lower their heads, and to always serve the country, based on moral values and principles, and not to be seduced by corruption.

According to Patiño, the electoral body signed an Interinstitutional Cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Defense, in which they establish responsibilities during the elections. He clarified that it is the Code of Democracy the one that determines the functions of the public force.