Venezuela: Petition fell short in seeking Maduro recall vote

28/1/2022 7:47

        Venezuela's National Electoral Council said Thursday that an opposition petition drive seeking to force a recall referendum against President Nicolas Maduro fell far short of the signatures needed, a result that had been expected because authorities allowed only a 12-hour period for the effort.
        
        The council said only 42,421 signatures were collected Wednesday, while 4.2 million were needed.
        
        Venezuela's constitution allows voters to petition for a recall election once a president has served half of his term, as has Maduro, whose second six-year term ends in 2024. Twenty percent of voters in each state must sign such a petition to force a recall vote.