Nicolas Maduro asks top court to audit Venezuela’s Presidential election but observers cry foul

Maduro requests audit of election results amid opposition dispute, criticized for lack of independence by foreign observers.

President Nicolás Maduro on July 31 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.

Mr. Maduro told reporters that the ruling party is also ready to show all the vote tally sheets from Sunday's election.

Anti-Maduro protests spread as Venezuelan opposition says he stole vote

“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 Mr. 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 Mr. Maduro’s sympathisers.

Also Read: Election campaign closes in Venezuela even as Maduro warns of a ‘bloodbath’ if he loses

The Carter Center, which sent a delegation to Venezuela to monitor the election, criticized Mr. Maduro's audit request, saying the court would not provide an independent review.