Politics
12:35, 31-Jul-2017
Venezuela claims 'extraordinary turnout' in controversial assembly vote
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A controversial election in Venezuela that was marred by violent protests saw an "extraordinary turnout" on Sunday despite being boycotted by the opposition, according to Venezuela's top electoral official.
The head of the National Electoral Council, Tibisay Lucena, said more than eight million voters participated in the vote for a new National Constituent Assembly (ANC), which will have powers to rewrite the constitution.
This represented a turnout of 41.53 percent of the country's total eligible voters.
Venezuelans cast ballots on Sunday to elect 537 of the ANC's 545 members, who will be tasked with debating amendments to the existing constitution.
The remaining eight seats will go to indigenous representatives, according to the electoral council.
The vote sparked controversy with critics warning it would hand President Nicolas Maduro too much power. At least 10 people were killed in violence coinciding with the election.
Several Latin American countries, including Mexico, Peru, Brazil and Argentina said they will not recognize the result of the election. Bolivia and Nicaragua, on the other hand, expressed their congratulations.
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