Fraud probe delays Venezuela assembly launch
Attorney General Luisa Ortega is investigating "scandalous" claims the turnout figure key to legitimising the vote was inflated.
Thursday 3 August 2017 05:31, UK
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has postponed the launch of a powerful new assembly after claims of mass electoral fraud.
His Attorney General, Luisa Ortega, ordered the probe to investigate "scandalous" claims that turnout in was exaggerated.
Ms Ortega, who is one of President Maduro's biggest rivals, said inflating the all-important participation in a poll boycotted by opponents was "one more element of the fraudulent, illegal and unconstitutional process".
"We are facing an unprecedented, serious incident that represents a crime," she said.
The move came hours after a British technology firm contracted to handle the ballot said data released by the Venezuelan government had been "tampered with".
Smartmatic chief executive Antonio Mugica said: "Based on the robustness of our system, we know, without any doubt, that the turnout... was manipulated."
The Venezuelan government denies any wrongdoing, dismissing criticism as "a reaction by the international enemy".
The country's electoral authority also denied vote-tampering allegations as "an irresponsible contention based on estimates with no grounding in the data".
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President Maduro claimed the new 545-member assembly would delay its first sitting from Thursday until Friday because 35 results had not yet been officially declared.
Venezuela claims the turnout for the election was eight million - 40% of the electorate. The opposition says turnout was less than half of that, and mostly comprised of state employees fearful for their jobs.
The assembly will have powers to rewrite the constitution, and is viewed by opponents as a power-grab by President Maduro to seize control of the state institutions that oppose him.