Caracas-Sana
Millions of Venezuelans participated in the municipal and local elections, which saw a good turnout with the participation of opposition forces and the presence of international observers.
"The turnout is very good and everything is going as planned," National Electoral Council President Pedro Calzadela told a news conference today.
For her part, the Head of the European Electoral Mission, Portuguese MP Isabel Santos, confirmed that things in the elections are "moving calmly".
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro called on international observers to respect the results of the local elections and to respect the national legitimacy of Venezuela.
And 21 million out of 30 million Venezuelans were called to vote, with 70,000 candidates and 23 governors, mayors and members of municipal councils competing in 335 Venezuelan towns.
Opinion polls showed Maduro's ruling Socialist Party would win the election.
"Let us prepare for great elections, which will be a great victory for democracy, the constitution and republican freedom," Maduro said before the start of the vote.