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Venezuela referendum: Woman, 61, shot dead in polling queue Venezuela referendum: Big show of support for opposition
(about 2 hours later)
A nurse aged 61 has been shot dead while waiting to vote in an unofficial, opposition-organised referendum in Venezuela's capital, Caracas. More than seven million voters have taken part in an opposition-organised referendum in Venezuela, according to academics monitoring the poll.
Men on motorbikes fired at a queue, killing her and wounding three others. The result strongly backed opposition to the socialist government's proposed constitutional changes.
Venezuela is in crisis, and more than 100 people have died in political clashes since April. Venezuela remains polarised between supporters of President Nicolas Maduro and the opposition, which wants fresh elections.
More than 7m people cast ballots in Sunday's vote, according to a group of academics monitoring the referendum, which has no legal status. A nurse was shot dead while queuing to vote in the capital, Caracas.
The rector of the Central University of Venezuela, Cecilia García Arocha, said 6,492,381 people voted within the country and another 693, 789 at polling stations abroad. Men on motorbikes opened fire, killing 61-year-old Xiomara Soledad Scott, and wounding three others.
The opposition blamed a "paramilitary" gang for the shooting, which prosecutors said they would investigate.
Separately, journalist Luis Olavarrieta was kidnapped, robbed and beaten by a group, but managed to escape.
More than 100 people have died in clashes and protests in Venezuela since April.
'Defend constitution'
The rector of the Central University of Venezuela, Cecilia García Arocha, said 6,492,381 people voted within the country and another 693,789 at polling stations abroad. However, the vote has no legal status.
The turnout is slightly less than the 7.7m people who voted for opposition candidates at the 2015 parliamentary elections. There are 19.5m registered voters in the country.The turnout is slightly less than the 7.7m people who voted for opposition candidates at the 2015 parliamentary elections. There are 19.5m registered voters in the country.
Voting yes or no to three questions, 98% rejected the new assembly proposed by President Nicolas Maduro and backed a call for elections before his term of office ends in 2019. Voting yes or no to three questions, 98% rejected the new assembly proposed by President Maduro and backed a call for elections before his term of office ends in 2019.
They also voted for the armed forces to defend the current constitution.They also voted for the armed forces to defend the current constitution.
The opposition blamed a "paramilitary" gang for the shooting incident. Video from the scene showed people rushing away from the gunshots, as many fled to a church. Venezuela - country in crisis
Opposition spokesman Carlos Ocariz said of the shooting: "We lament this very much, with great pain." More on Venezuela's turmoil
Prosecutors said they would investigate the incident, and the woman was named as Xiomara Soledad Scott. An official vote will be held on 30 July for a new assembly, which would have the power to rewrite the constitution and to dissolve state institutions. But critics say the new assembly could herald dictatorship.
She died minutes after reaching hospital. Sunday's unofficial poll was held in improvised polling stations at theatres, sports grounds and roundabouts within Venezuela and in more than 100 countries around the world.
Separately, journalist Luis Olavarrieta was kidnapped, robbed and beaten by a group of people. He managed to escape and images emerged of him receiving medical attention.
An official vote will be held on 30 July for a new assembly, which would have the power to rewrite the constitution and to dissolve state institutions.
But critics say the new assembly could herald dictatorship.
Opposition politicians organised Sunday's unofficial poll, held in improvised polling stations at theatres, sports grounds and roundabouts within Venezuela and in more than 100 countries around the world.
While the vote was only symbolic, BBC South America correspondent Katy Watson said the opposition hoped that a high turnout would heap pressure on the government.While the vote was only symbolic, BBC South America correspondent Katy Watson said the opposition hoped that a high turnout would heap pressure on the government.
Queues started to form early and there was a festive atmosphere in most places. But Mr Maduro described Sunday's vote as "meaningless".
But President Nicolas Maduro described Sunday's vote as "meaningless".
"They have convened an internal consultation with the opposition parties, with their own mechanisms, without electoral rulebooks, without prior verification, without further verification. As if they are autonomous and decide on their own," he said."They have convened an internal consultation with the opposition parties, with their own mechanisms, without electoral rulebooks, without prior verification, without further verification. As if they are autonomous and decide on their own," he said.
Catia, where the shooting happened, is a poorer part of the Venezuelan capital where support for the socialist government, headed first by Hugo Chavez and since his death by Mr Maduro, has historically been high.
Mr Maduro argues that the constituent assembly is the only way to help Venezuela out of its economic and political crisis.Mr Maduro argues that the constituent assembly is the only way to help Venezuela out of its economic and political crisis.
He has said that a new constitution would "neutralise" the opposition and defeat "coup-plotters" and thereby promote peace in Venezuela.
Opposition leaders fear that the process of setting up a new constituent assembly and rewriting the constitution would almost certainly delay this year's regional elections and next year's presidential election.Opposition leaders fear that the process of setting up a new constituent assembly and rewriting the constitution would almost certainly delay this year's regional elections and next year's presidential election.
They also fear that the constituent assembly would further weaken the National Assembly, Venezuela's opposition-controlled legislative body.They also fear that the constituent assembly would further weaken the National Assembly, Venezuela's opposition-controlled legislative body.
What's happening in Venezuela?
More on Venezuela's turmoil