Vote tampering claims jolt Venezuela after election

CARACAS, Venezuela — Revelations on Wednesday that turnout figures were apparently manipulated in a crucial vote for an all-powerful constituent assembly in Venezuela cast an even longer shadow over the controversial body hours before it was to convene.

The official count of voters in Sunday’s election was off by at least 1 million, according to the head of the voting technology firm Smartmatic — a finding certain to sow further discord over a body that has been granted vast authority to rewrite Venezuela’s constitution and override every branch of government.

Results recorded by Smartmatic’s systems and those reported by Venezuela’s National Electoral Council show “without any doubt” that the official turnout figure of more than 8 million voters was tampered with, company CEO Antonio Mugica told reporters in London. The international software company has provided voting technology in Venezuela since 2004.

He did not, however, specify whether his company’s figures showed 1 million fewer, or 1 million more, voters participated in the election.

“Even in moments of deep political conflict and division we have been satisfied with the voting process and the count has been completely accurate,” Mr. Mugica said. “It is, therefore, with the deepest regret that we have to report that the turnout figures on Sunday, 30 July, for the constituent assembly in Venezuela were tampered with.”

Hours later, President Nicolas Maduro accused Smartmatic of bowing to U.S. pressure to “stain” the election results. Standing behind the electoral council’s voter count, he proclaimed that an additional 2 million Venezuelans would have cast ballots if they hadn’t been stopped by roadblocks erected by the socialist government’s opponents.

“Nothing and no one can stop the victory of the people!” Mr. Maduro said to applause from 500 members of the new assembly.

The president also announced that the assembly’s installation was being delayed by a day, convening on Friday instead of Thursday in order to “organize it well in peace and tranquility.” The electoral council also must still provide 35 members with their credentials, he said.

Smartmatic’s claim drew an immediate reaction from opposition leaders who have contended since Sunday’s results were announced that the National Electoral Council inflated the turnout count. Julio Borges, president of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, said lawmakers were asking the nation’s chief prosecutor to investigate election commission members for potential crimes.

“They are going to install a fraudulent constitutional assembly and no one can say with certitude that these people ... were those who won or if they were the product of a scheme,” Mr. Borges said.

Despite the fraud allegations, preparations proceeded to quickly install the new assembly Thursday. Around the nation, the 545 newly elected delegates, many dressed in the ruling socialist party’s signature red, were honored in ceremonies and given certifications acknowledging their new powers.

Even before Smartmatic’s allegations, there were growing doubts over the veracity of the National Electoral Council’s official turn ount count of 8 million. The opposition — a sizeable portion of the population — boycotted the vote, and an independent exit poll concluded that less than half that number cast ballots. Opposition leaders said counts from observers stationed in each municipality also suggested the government’s numbers were inflated.