Polling Company: Venezuela Election Results ‘Manipulated’ by at Least 1 Million Votes

The disputed Sunday election in Venezuela—one that set the country further down its path to authoritarianism—was manipulated by at least 1 million votes, said the company that provided the voting system. “With the deepest regret, we have to say that the turnout data presented on Sunday, July 30, for the constituent election was manipulated,” Antonio Mugica, chief executive of Smartmatic, said Wednesday. The announcement only fans the flames against the election’s results, which have been internationally condemned as President Nicolás Maduro’s attempt to obliterate an opposition-led legislature.