This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-40804812
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Venezuela vote: Turnout figure 'tampered with' | Venezuela vote: Turnout figure 'tampered with' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Turnout numbers for Sunday's controversial vote in Venezuela have been "tampered with", the company that provided the voting system alleges. | Turnout numbers for Sunday's controversial vote in Venezuela have been "tampered with", the company that provided the voting system alleges. |
| Venezuela's electoral authorities said more than eight million people voted in the elections for a new constituent assembly. | Venezuela's electoral authorities said more than eight million people voted in the elections for a new constituent assembly. |
| But the CEO of Smartmatic, Antonio Mugica said the actual turnout differed by at least one million. | But the CEO of Smartmatic, Antonio Mugica said the actual turnout differed by at least one million. |
| The opposition has also said the figures were inflated. | The opposition has also said the figures were inflated. |
| What did the voting firm have to say? | |
| "It is with the deepest regret that we have to report that the turnout numbers on Sunday 30th July for the Constituent Assembly in Venezuela were tampered with," Mr Mugica told a media conference in London. | |
| He added that although his company had recorded the true number of voters, a full audit would have to take place before he could give the precise figure. | He added that although his company had recorded the true number of voters, a full audit would have to take place before he could give the precise figure. |
| Asked why he had not contacted the Venezuelan authorities, Mr Mugica said he thought they "would not be sympathetic to what we'd say". | |
| Smartmatic provided about 24,000 machines for Venezuelans to cast their votes electronically. | |
| According to the company, their system supplied correct voting statistics but altered results were announced in their place. | |
| Why does the vote matter? | |
| During the vote, Venezuelans were asked to select more than 500 representatives to make up a constituent assembly. | During the vote, Venezuelans were asked to select more than 500 representatives to make up a constituent assembly. |
| The new body has the power to rewrite the constitution, sidelining the opposition-led congress. | |
| President Nicolás Maduro argued the constituent assembly would promote "reconciliation and peace" after months of political and economic crisis. | |
| But the opposition, which boycotted the vote, saw it as a power grab by the president. | |
| Turnout is seen as crucial in the vote. Given that the opposition refused to field candidates, the figure gives an indication of support for the government. | Turnout is seen as crucial in the vote. Given that the opposition refused to field candidates, the figure gives an indication of support for the government. |
| Venezuela's controversial vote explained |