Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has emerged victorious in his bid for a third term, securing 51% of the vote, according to the country’s electoral authority. This outcome is in contrast to multiple exit polls, which had initially indicated an opposition win. In response to the results, opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez expressed his disappointment, stating that “the country has peacefully chosen a change.” However, the opposition had earlier expressed optimism and urged its supporters to monitor the vote counts.
One prominent opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado, called upon the country’s military to respect the outcome of the vote. She emphasized that the people of Venezuela have voiced their desire for a change in leadership and urged the military to align themselves with the wishes of the people. It is worth noting that the Venezuelan military has consistently supported Maduro, and there have been no indications of a rift between the armed forces and the government.
Exit polls conducted by Edison Research, a renowned polling firm known for its accuracy in U.S. elections, had projected a victory for Gonzalez with 65% of the vote, while Maduro was expected to secure only 31%. Similarly, a local firm called Meganalisis had predicted a 65% vote for Gonzalez and less than 14% for Maduro. These discrepancies between the exit polls and the final results raise questions about the accuracy of polling methods and highlight the challenges in predicting election outcomes.
The national electoral council (CNE) reported that approximately 80% of the ballot boxes have been counted. The council’s president, Elvis Amoroso, explained that the delay in announcing the results was due to an “aggression” against the electoral data transmission system. The nature of this aggression was not specified, but it underscores the importance of ensuring the integrity and security of the electoral process.
Overall, the re-election of Nicolas Maduro has sparked controversy and divided the nation. While the electoral authority has declared his victory, opposition leaders and some exit polls indicate a different outcome. This discrepancy raises concerns about the transparency and fairness of the electoral process. The coming days will likely see heightened tensions as the opposition and its supporters demand answers and clarity regarding the election results. The role of the military in upholding the outcome will also be closely watched, as it has historically been a stronghold of support for Maduro.
