Venezuelan Authorities Extend Work of Polling Stations by 1 Hour - Official

Venezuelan authorities decided to extend the working hours of polling stations so that more people could take part in the election to the Constituent Assembly, Venezuelan National Electoral Council Vice President Sandra Oblitas said.

MEXICO CITY (Sputnik) — On Sunday, Venezuela is holding election of the members of the Constituent Assembly, a new legislative body with the power to amend the constitution. The last time the Constituent Assembly was convened in 1999.

"We decided to extend the voting for an hour and, as it usually happens, until people are standing in a queue waiting  for exercising their right to vote," Oblitas said on Sunday, as quoted by the VTV broadcaster.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced his decision to convene the Constituent Assembly in early May, claiming it would bring peace to the South American country hit by months of violent protests. However, his opponents fear that it would allow him to bypass the opposition-controlled parliament.