Politics
12:41, 16-Oct-2017
Maduro’s party claims election victory sparking suspicion from opposition
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Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's Socialist Party won a majority of states in Sunday's regional election, according to official results, sparking suspicion of fraud from the opposition that polls had shown was poised for a big win.
Electoral board president Tibisay Lucena said the ruling Socialist Party won 17 governorships, versus five by the opposition Democratic Unity coalition, with results irreversible in all but one of the 23 states.
"'Chavismo' is alive, in the street, and triumphant," a beaming Maduro said in a speech to the nation, referring to the ruling movement's name inspired by former president Hugo Chavez.
President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a meeting with government members at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas, October 15, 2017. /Reuters Photo
President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a meeting with government members at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas, October 15, 2017. /Reuters Photo
Opposition leaders had said the pro-government election board was about to announce dubious results.
"We have serious suspicions and doubts," election campaign chief Gerardo Blyde, told reporters, after opposition leaders earlier said they were sure of a "gigantic" victory based on their observers at voting centers.
However, the opposition took just five governorships, including the restive Andean states of Merida and Tachira, plus the oil-producing western region of Zulia.
The government won back populous Miranda state, which includes part of Caracas, for an up-and-coming star of the Socialist Party, Hector Rodriguez, the election board said.
Chavez's younger brother, Argenis Chavez, held the rural state of Barinas, where the family comes from.
The ruling Socialist Party had previously controlled 20 of 23 state governorships.
But opinion polls had shown the opposition coalition set to upend that, given voter anger at widespread shortages stemming from an economic meltdown.
Sunday's surprise results raised the prospect of more unrest in Venezuela, where four months of opposition-led protests earlier this year led to 125 deaths, thousands of arrests and widespread destruction of property.
Source(s): Reuters
,Xinhua News Agency