Overwhelmingly defeated opposition decries ‘illegalities’ in Venezuela vote

Venezuela’s electoral council declared pro-government candidates the overwhelming winners in Sunday’s key state elections, even though the opposition — which opinion polls had shown poised for widespread victories — cast serious doubt on the results. In Sunday’s vote to elect the governors in all 23 Venezuelan states, the pro-government electoral council said government candidates had won in 17 states, with the opposition capturing five and one remaining too close to call. But opposition officials, who had predicted an almost inverse outcome, suggested possible fraud — saying they would not recognize the results while calling for an independent audit “The results don’t reflect reality,” said Gerardo Blyde, head of the opposition coalition’s campaign. “Venezuela and the world won’t buy it. The government can’t explain the results.” More..