The Supreme Court upheld the national electoral board when it protested against these actions, but the government rejected the court's decision.

"I respect the decisions of the electoral board and I will comply with its orders," the president said.

He also said he would seek to level domestic criminal charges against the electoral board.

The president also controlled four of seven posts on the nation's electoral board.

Both sides have agreed that the electoral board is balanced, with two members supported by the opposition and two by the government.

The most immediate is that a new electoral board must be chosen to oversee the recall.

It is likely to lead to a referendum this year after a new electoral board is chosen to oversee the vote.

"What serious electoral board would not permit an observation, as is done everywhere?"

One electoral board may decide that a stray mark indicated an intent to vote for a particular candidate; another may not.