By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
President Nicolas Maduro has been declared the winner of Venezuela’s presidential election, securing a third term in office with 51% of the vote.
The electoral body announced his victory, contradicting exit polls that predicted an opposition win due to widespread dissatisfaction with Maduro’s administration.
Opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, initially expected to win, garnered only 44% of the vote. In response to the unexpected outcome, Maduro called his victory a triumph of peace and stability, while pledging to initiate a national dialogue to address public concerns.
The opposition has criticized the National Electoral Council, accusing it of bias in favor of the government. Gonzalez stated on social media that the election results reflect a desire for change, raising questions about the legitimacy of the vote