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Monday, July 31, 2017

Venezuela claims 41.5% turnout in violent constituent assembly vote

The mayor of Caracas Jorge Rodriguez (L), The Vice President of Venezuela Tareck El Aissami (2-L), the Minister of Electrical Energy Luis Alfredo Motta Dominguez (C) and the first vice president of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Diosdado Cabello (2-R), attend an event celebrating the election results after a national vote on President Nicolas Maduro"s proposed Constituent Assembly at Plaza Bolivar in Caracas, Venezuela, 31 July 2017Image copyrightEPA
Image captionGovernment officials celebrated the results but the opposition has cried foul
Electoral officials in Venezuela say turnout in the controversial election for a constituent assembly was 41.5%, a figure disputed by the opposition.
The opposition coalition said 88% of voters abstained and it refused to recognise the election.
The opposition also called for more protests on Monday.
Sunday's election was marred by violence, with widespread protests and at least 10 people killed. President Nicolás Maduro hailed the election.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (centre) celebrates election results after a national vote on his proposed Constituent Assembly at Plaza Bolivar in Caracas, Venezuela, 31 July 2017.Image copyrightEPA
Image captionPresident Maduro hailed the vote as a victory

Vote highlights polarisation - Katy Watson, BBC South America correspondent in Caracas:

President Maduro spoke at length on television after the results came out.
It was a victory speech for him and his followers but after a day of violence on the streets it's a pretty hollow victory - if you can even call it that.
For all the talk of the vote being an example of democracy, critics accuse him of voter fraud and intimidation and many don't believe the official numbers of voter turnout.
This vote highlights just how polarised the country is with a President who ploughs on regardless of the millions of people who object to it.
The anger was palpable on the streets of Caracas on Sunday with crowds of people defying a protest ban and building barricades, awaiting confrontations with police.
It's a scene we've seen for several months now and one that, given the way this vote has gone, we will no doubt see more of.
Clashes and demonstrations took place in the capital Caracas on Sunday

 

What was the vote for?

Venezuelans were asked to choose the more than 500 representatives who will make up a constituent assembly.
The constituent assembly was convened by President Maduro to rewrite the existing constitution, which was drafted and passed in 1999 when his mentor, President Hugo Chávez, was in office.

What was the result?

The president of the National Electoral Council (CNE) Tibisay Lucena speaks to the press to present the first report of the elections of the National Constituent Assembly in Caracas, Venezuela, 31 July 2017.Image copyrightEPA
Image captionElectoral council head Tibisay Lucena said the turnout had been "extraordinary"
The head of the National Electoral Council (CNE), Tibisay Lucena, on Monday announced that there had been an "extraordinary turnout" of more than eight million voters.
She also announced that the wife of President Maduro, Cilia Flores, was among those elected as representatives, as well as the president's close allies Diosdado Cabello, Iris Varela and Delcy Rodríguez.
The announcement was met with outrage and derision by the opposition, who boycotted the vote.
Opposition politician Henry Ramos Allup said their figures suggested fewer than 2.5 million Venezuelans had turned out to vote.
The MUD opposition coalition has spoken of "mega fraud" while President Maduro called it the "biggest ever vote for the revolution".

Why is voter turnout such an issue?

A polling official checks identification as Venezuelans vote in the elections of the National Constituent Assembly, in Caracas, Venezuela, 30 July 2017.Image copyrightEPA
Image captionHow many people turned out was key for both the government and the opposition
With the opposition boycotting the election from the start and not fielding any candidates, it was always less about who would be elected and more about how many Venezuelans would take part in the voting.
The opposition held an unofficial referendum two weeks before the election asking Venezuelans whether they wanted a constituent assembly at all. According to opposition figures, more than seven million Venezuelans rejected the constituent assembly in that vote.
The opposition urged Venezuelans to stay at home and even some Chavistas (supporters of the socialist movement created by President Hugo Chávez and of which Mr Maduro is a part) said they objected to the constituent assembly and would not vote.
There were widespread reports of public sector workers being told by their bosses to go and vote or face being sacked.
How many people turned out was therefore seen as a key indicator of support for the government.

Why is the constituent assembly controversial?

A woman shouts slogans during a protest held by Venezuelans in Spain against Venezuela's Constituent Assembly election, in Madrid, Spain, July 30, 2017.Image copyrightREUTERS
Image captionProtests were held by Venezuelans living abroad as well as those in Venezuela
President Maduro convened the constituent assembly on 1 May amid fierce anti-government protests.
He argued the constituent assembly would promote "reconciliation and peace", however he did not give details of exactly how rewriting the constitution would achieve such broad aims.
Government critics fear that President Maduro wants to use the constituent assembly to maximise his power and cling on to it for longer.

What happens next?

A protestor confronts members of the National Bolivarian Guard during a demonstration against the vote for a Constituent Assembly in Caracas, Venezuela, 30 July 201Image copyrightEPA
Image captionMore protests are expected on Monday
The opposition has called for fresh protests on Monday.
On Sunday, at least 10 people were killed in protests across the country, prompting opposition leader Henrique Capriles to speak of a "massacre".
Despite a government ban on protests and the threat of jail terms of up to 10 years for anyone disrupting the electoral process, streets were barricaded and a number of polling stations attacked ahead of the vote.
Tensions are likely to increase further on Monday and ahead of the swearing-in of the constituent assembly members on Wednesday.

What powers will the constituent assembly have?

A supporter of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro shows a document on the National Constituent Assembly during a rally in Caracas, Venezuela, July 24, 2017.Image copyrightREUTERS
Image captionPresident Nicolás Maduro wants a new constitution and has convened a constituent assembly
As the constituent assembly will be drawing up a new constitution it has the potential to fundamentally change how Venezuela is run.
The last time a constituent assembly met in 1999, the legislature was suspended while the constitution was debated.
The opposition-controlled National Assembly has already said it will not stand for that.
But it is difficult to predict how it could continue functioning while the laws of the land are being redrawn.

What have other countries said?

Organization of American States President Luis Almagro testifies before a Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the ongoing crisis in Venezuela on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., July 19, 2017.Image copyrightREUTERS
Image captionOAS head Luis Almagro has been a fierce critic of the Venezuelan government
Venezuela is facing mounting international criticism over the new assembly.
On Sunday the US said it was considering fresh sanctions targeting the oil industry there. It has already imposed sanctions on 13 members of Mr Maduro's government.
The US State Department said it would take swift action against what it called the "architects of authoritarianism".
US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, dismissed the vote as a "sham election" and a "step towards dictatorship".
Venezuela's neighbour, Colombia, as well as Panama, Peru and Brazil among others have refused to recognise the vote.
Peru on Sunday convened a meeting of Latin American foreign ministers for 8 August to discuss the crisis in Venezuela.
The head of the regional body Organization of American States has repeatedly denounced President Maduro's government - leading to Venezuela saying it will leave the bloc.
BBC News

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