Polls closed on Monday in Venezuela for the controversial election to rewrite the country's constitution. 

The vote is to create the National Constituent Assembly, composed of new delegates who will rewrite Venezuela's Constitution.  The revised constitution would have the power to dissolve the National Assembly, an opposition-heavy body of lawmakers.

Government supporters went to the polls, violent clashes broke out between the opposition and government troops. At least two people have been killed during the violent protests.

People lined up to vote in polling centers across the country with a heavy police and military presence to make sure that even in opposition dominated areas like the Chacao municipality, citizens would be able to cast their votes. 

The battle between Venezuela's government and the opposition has been going on for years.

For government supporters, the vote is for a constituent assembly that represents a possible solution to an end to the violence in the streets and the economic crisis in Venezuela.

By contrast, the opposition parties, who boycotted the vote, see the move as a step towards dictatorship. They said the vote is simply a ploy for President Nicolas Maduro to remain in power. They also said the President has no plan to bring the country out of the current crisis.

Beyond internal opposition, the election is drawing intense international criticism. The US and a growing list of other nations are refusing to recognize the vote, including Canada, Brazil, Argentina and Mexico.