CNE points to lower turnout compared with presidential election

To the mind of Socorro Hernández, a director of Venezuelan National Electoral Council (CNE), voters' turnout has been lower than that in the past presidential election. She noted though that such is the customary trend in every local election.

In the presidential election held last October 7, she spelled out, 82% of voters showed up to cast their ballots. As for the election of Sunday, December 16, Hernández claimed that it is too early to draw a conclusion.

Hernández avowed some delays in establishing the polling stations, expecting to overcome them by midday.

A total of 17 million Venezuelans have been encouraged to vote this time. The Election Day is slated to last until 6:00 p.m. or as long as there are voters standing in the queues.