The US Secretary of State called for electoral authorities to publish detailed tabulation of votes.
CARACAS – Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his opposition rival Edmundo Gonzalez were each claiming victory in a presidential election on the morning of July 29, after a vote marked by accusations of underhand tactics and isolated incidents of violence.
Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said Mr Gonzalez had won 70 per cent of the vote and that multiple independent exit polls and quick counts decisively showed his victory. Local firm Meganalisis predicted a 65 per cent vote for Mr Gonzalez and just under 14 per cent for Mr Maduro. The top opposition official meant to witness the overall national count was not allowed to do so, and there were several polling stations where opposition observers were not allowed to observe, the opposition said.
Mr Gonzalez won backing even from some former supporters of the ruling party, but the opposition and observers raised questions ahead of the vote as to whether it would be fair, saying decisions by electoral authorities and the arrests of opposition staff were meant to create obstacles. The crowd dispersed after about 20 minutes, but videos on social media showed similar incidents in other locations around the country.
“I work cleaning houses and my four grandchildren depend on me. I earn just US$15 per week and that is enough to eat one day but not the next,” said Ms Luisa Gonzalez, 61, who voted in the state of Bolivar, traditionally a ruling party bastion.
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