Clash of Claims in Venezuelan Election Results

In Venezuela, both the government and opposition claim victory in the recent election. The opposition asserts it has 73% of voting tallies, while independent exit polls predict a significant win for the opposition. International observers, including the US and Brazil, call for transparency in the vote count.

Both the Venezuelan government and opposition are claiming victory after Sunday's election, sparking tensions. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado announced that the opposition holds 73.2% of the voting tallies, presenting evidence contradicting the national electoral authority's declaration of incumbent President Nicolas Maduro as the winner.

Independent pollsters and international observers questioned the electoral authority's results, which reported 5.15 million votes for Maduro against 4.45 million for opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez. In contrast, opposition tallies indicated 6.27 million votes for Gonzalez and only 2.75 million for Maduro.

The United States, Brazil, and other nations have urged for transparency in the vote count, citing concerns over electoral fairness. Protests have erupted across Venezuela, leading to violent clashes and a call for the military to uphold the election's true outcome.

(With inputs from agencies.)