Venezuelan Election in Chaos as Maduro Halts Vote Count Amid Exit Polls Showing Rejection

Jul 29, 2024, 02:20 AM

The Venezuelan presidential election has been marred by significant controversy and unrest. Despite exit polls indicating a decisive rejection of incumbent President Nicolás Maduro, his regime has halted the vote count and stopped broadcasting results. The National Electoral Council's website, which publishes continuous results, is down, and there are reports of gangs threatening poll workers. Maduro's campaign manager has declared victory on national television, contradicting exit polls showing a historic loss for the socialist regime. Armed police and motorcycle gangs have been mobilized to intimidate voters, with some incidents resulting in fatalities. The main opposition candidate, MariaCorinaYA, was banned from running. The results remain undisclosed more than four hours after polls began to close. International observers and opposition figures are calling for the results to be respected and for free and fair elections.