Opposition Leader to Testify Amidst Venezuelan Election Controversy

Former Venezuelan presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez is set to testify regarding an opposition website that posted voting tallies from the disputed July election. The ruling party, accused of cracking down on dissent, has been contested by opposition and international groups over election transparency.

Former Venezuelan presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez is under scrutiny for his involvement with an opposition website that published voting tallies from the contested July election, says attorney general Tarek Saab.

Gonzalez is to be summoned to testify as part of an ongoing investigation into the website, which allegedly usurps the jurisdiction reserved for electoral authorities. President Nicolas Maduro was declared the election winner by national authorities, although opposition tallies indicate Gonzalez as the victor.

International bodies and the opposition criticized the election's transparency and demanded full tally disclosures. Protests post-election led to numerous arrests and detentions, amid a government crackdown on dissent. The U.S. and other nations await further verification before recognizing the electoral result.

(With inputs from agencies.)