President Maduro pledges to respect election results in Venezuela

By Sinan Dogan

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said Sunday that he would respect the results of the presidential election.

Maduro, who voted in the capital Caracas along with his wife Cilia Flores, told the press: "I recognize and will recognize the official results. I will ensure that these results are respected. Not only me, but all 38 political parties participating in the election must openly declare before the public that they will respect the results."

Pointing to the official results to be announced by the National Electoral Council (CNE), Maduro said: "It is important for Venezuelans to live in peace, harmony, and unity. Goodness and victory will prevail in Venezuela."

Maduro also announced that starting tomorrow, he would call for a new dialogue with the political parties and all sector representatives in the country.

Maduro shared images of the moment he voted on X, saying: "I cast my vote easily, quickly, and practically. I invite everyone to vote for peace, democracy, and Venezuela."

Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, addressing her supporters on social media, also said: "Dear Venezuelans, the awaited day has come. We have been fighting for this moment for 25 years."

Machado urged poll workers not to leave their positions and called on all Venezuelans to vote for change.

In the presidential election in Venezuela being held on Sunday, the race is between the Great Patriotic Pole (Gran Polo Patriotico) candidate President Maduro and the opposition coalition United Democratic Platform (PUD) candidate Edmundo Gonzalez.

*Writing by Gizem Nisa Cebi in Istanbul