Maduro and opposition both claim to win Venezuela’s presidential election

[KARAH RUCKER]

IN A HIGHLY WATCHED AND HIGHLY SCRUTINIZED ELECTORAL PROCESS —

VENEZUELA’S authoritarian PRESIDENT NICOLÁS MADURO CLAIMED TO HAVE WON THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION ON MONDAY — BUT SO HAVE HIS POLITICAL OPPONENTS.

WITH 80 PERCENT OF VOTES COUNTED — MADURO IS SAID TO HAVE WON WITH MORE THAN 51 PERCENT OF THE VOTE… LEADING ELECTORAL AUTHORITIES TO DECLARE HIM THE WINNER.

HOWEVER — THE OPPOSITION CLAIMS CANDIDATE EDMUNDO GONZÁLEZ HAD RECEIVED 70 PERCENT OF THE VOTE AGAINST MADURO’S 30 PERCENT… AND GONZÁLEZ SAID ALL RULES WERE VIOLATED.

THE OPPOSITION IS DEMANDING ELECTORAL AUTHORITIES PRESENT ALL THE VOTING TALLIES ISSUED BY THE VOTING MACHINES TO VERIFY THE RESULTS.

THE UNITED STATES AND MULTIPLE REGIONAL NATIONS HAVE ALSO VOICED SKEPTICISM ABOUT OFFICIAL RESULTS HANDING VICTORY TO MADURO.