Maduro Wins Venezuela’s Presidential Election: Electoral Council
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Venezuela’s incumbent President Nicolas Maduro has won the presidential election, getting re-elected for a third six-year term, President of the National Electoral Council of Venezuela Elvis Amoroso said.
According to the council’s first statement, after counting 80% of ballots, Maduro was supported by 5,150,092 voters or 51.2%. His main opponent, Edmundo Gonzalez who is representing far-right parties, has garnered 4,445,978 votes or 44.2%, with eight other candidates garnering a total of 4.6%, TASS reported.
Amoroso explained the delay in releasing the results of Sunday’s election was due to an attack on the electoral body’s data release system.
Corina Machado, a leader of Venezuelan opposition, said the campaign team of presidential hopeful Edmundo Gonzalez will not recognize his defeat in the vote.
Throughout the day of the voting, CNN’s Spanish news channel broadcast statements by Gonzalez’s supporters claiming his lead over Maduro.