Venezuela's Maduro asks top court to audit the presidential election, but observers cry foul
President Nicolás Maduro has asked Venezuela’s high court to conduct an audit of the presidential election after opposition leaders disputed his claim of victory
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — President Nicolás Maduro on Wednesday asked Venezuela’s high court to conduct an audit of the presidential election after opposition leaders disputed his claim of victory, drawing criticism from foreign observers who said the court is too close to the government to produce an independent review.
Maduro told reporters that the ruling party is also ready to show all the vote tally sheets from Sunday's election.
“I throw myself before justice,” he said outside the Supreme Tribunal of Justice headquarters in the capital, Caracas, adding that he is “willing to be summoned, questioned, investigated.”
This is Maduro's first concession to demands for more transparency about the election. However, the court is closely aligned with his government; the court's justices are proposed by federal officials and ratified by the National Assembly, which is dominated by Maduro sympathizers.
