Maduro wins third term, electoral authority says, contradicting exit polls

SUMMARY

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has allegedly secured a third term with 51% of the vote, according to the country's electoral authority. This outcome contradicts multiple exit polls that had suggested an opposition victory, with Edmundo Gonzalez, the opposition candidate, receiving 44% of the vote. Gonzalez and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado had earlier claimed there were "reasons to celebrate" and urged supporters to continue monitoring the count. Machado also called on the military to support the will of the people, though the armed forces have historically backed the socialist Maduro. Polls from Edison Research and Meganalisis had predicted a landslide victory for Gonzalez. The electoral authority reported delays due to an "aggression" against the data transmission system, with around 80% of ballot boxes counted.