Ruling party keeps parliament

Venezuela's ruling socialist party held its significant majority in the National Assembly in a Sunday election, winning nearly 83% of votes according to the electoral authority, in a contest boycotted by some opposition leaders amid deep division among parties opposed to the government of President Nicolas Maduro.

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Some of the country’s major opposition leaders called for voters to abstain in protest of the official results of the July 2024 presidential election, which the opposition says it won but which authorities say was a Maduro victory.

Sunday's legislative results will keep the ruling party in control of the attorney general's office and the top court, whose members are elected by lawmakers.

Authorities did not give a total number of seats which will be held by each party, but named 40 lawmakers from various parties who have won seats.

A coalition considered close to the ruling socialist party won 6.25% of the vote, while an opposition alliance won 5.17%, National Electoral Council rector Carlos Quintero said in a declaration broadcast on state television.

Turnout to choose 24 state governors and 285 lawmakers was 42.6% of 21 million eligible voters, he said, similar to the turnout in the 2021 elections.