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Venezuela local elections test Maduro Polls close in Venezuela local election
(about 14 hours later)
People in Venezuela have begun voting in municipal elections seen as a crucial test for President Nicolas Maduro. Polls have officially closed in Venezuela after local elections seen as a key test for President Nicolas Maduro.
Mr Maduro narrowly won a presidential election in April to replace Hugo Chavez who had died from cancer.Mr Maduro narrowly won a presidential election in April to replace Hugo Chavez who had died from cancer.
Since November, Mr Maduro has been ruling by decree, promising to tackle corruption and control price rises.Since November, Mr Maduro has been ruling by decree, promising to tackle corruption and control price rises.
The opposition accuses him of failing to deal with crime, inflation and a shortage of basic goods.The opposition accuses him of failing to deal with crime, inflation and a shortage of basic goods.
The BBC's Irene Caselli in the capital, Caracas, says local elections are usually low key, but this one is filled with expectations for the government and the opposition. The electoral authorities say they have received data from more than 90% of the polling stations and are due to release preliminary results in the coming hours.
Voters are electing mayors to 337 municipalities and officials to more than 2,000 city councils. The National Electoral Council said the voting went smoothly but some problems have been reported.
The BBC's Irene Caselli in the capital, Caracas, says local elections are usually low key, but this one was filled with expectations for the government and the opposition.
Voters were electing mayors to 337 municipalities and officials to more than 2,000 city councils.
The opposition currently controls about 50 municipalities but hopes to double that number.The opposition currently controls about 50 municipalities but hopes to double that number.
Most polls show the government coalition is likely to win in a majority of municipalities.Most polls show the government coalition is likely to win in a majority of municipalities.
But what is less clear is whether it will be able to maintain control of Caracas and Maracaibo - Venezuela's two largest cities.But what is less clear is whether it will be able to maintain control of Caracas and Maracaibo - Venezuela's two largest cities.
As polling started, President Maduro reminded Venezuelans in a tweet to celebrate "a day of loyalty and love towards Chavez and the Motherland".As polling started, President Maduro reminded Venezuelans in a tweet to celebrate "a day of loyalty and love towards Chavez and the Motherland".
Sunday's elections coincide with the anniversary of Hugo Chavez's famous speech in which he announced that his cancer had returned and named Mr Maduro as his preferred successor. Sunday's elections coincided with the anniversary of Hugo Chavez's famous speech in which he announced that his cancer had returned and named Mr Maduro as his preferred successor.
Official results are expected to be announced a few hours after polls close at 18:00 local time (22:30 GMT), as voting is electronic. Although 19 million Venezuelans were eligible to vote, turnout was expected to be low.
Although 19 million Venezuelans are eligible to vote, turnout is expected to be low.
Mr Maduro was granted special powers to rule by decree for a year to deal with Venezuela's economic crisis.Mr Maduro was granted special powers to rule by decree for a year to deal with Venezuela's economic crisis.
Since then he has legislated on the prices of electronics, toys, clothes, and new and second-hand cars.Since then he has legislated on the prices of electronics, toys, clothes, and new and second-hand cars.
The opposition says the government's left-wing policies are keeping foreign investment away and hurting the economy.The opposition says the government's left-wing policies are keeping foreign investment away and hurting the economy.