Preparations for December’s legislative elections continue in Venezuela. The National Electoral Council is readying 40,000 voting machines that will be used in polling stations, and the President of the Council rejected statements by opposition leaders who have refused to promise that they will respect official election results. She said the elections will reflect the will of the people and that the Council will guarantee their democratic participation. Meanwhile, the United Socialist Party of Venezuela and its allies are busy gathering 11 million signatures for peace during elections. teleSUR