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| 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? | 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. | "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 the company's system 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". | 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. | 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. | According to the company, their system supplied correct voting statistics but altered results were announced in their place. |
| Why does the vote matter? | 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. | 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 crisis. | |
| But the opposition, which boycotted the vote, saw it as a power grab by the president. | 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 | Venezuela's controversial vote explained |
| So where do we go from here? | |
| Venezuela remains in political and economic turmoil. Tumbling oil prices have hit social programmes hard and scores of people have died protesting against the government. | |
| Despite the unrest the government retains the crucial support of the armed forces. | |
| Amid pressure at home and strong condemnation abroad, Mr Maduro is pressing on with the swearing in of the new assembly, possibly as early as today. | |
| Among those elected were Mr Maduro's wife and other key allies. | |
| Opposition leaders have called for fresh demonstrations against the government, with a march planned on 3 August against the expected installation of the assembly. |