Venezuela starts validating recall referendum signatures

Venezuelan opposition leader Henrique Capriles says more than 70,000 people who endorsed a petition for a referendum to oust President Nicolas Maduro had their signatures validated yesterday. 

Just under 200 thousand valid signatures are needed for the process to go ahead.  

Mr Maduro was elected in April 2013 and his term runs until 2019. 

The opposition blames his socialist policies for rampant inflation and the shortage of food and basic goods. 

Mr Capriles said the massive presence of voters on the first day of the validation process is a clear sign that Venezuelans want a change of government.  

Those who endorsed the petition have until Friday to have their identity cards and fingerprints checked in posts set up by the National Electoral Council.

The petition had almost two million signatures but election officials said 600 thousand of those were fraudulent.


SOURCE: BBC news