South Africa: Venezuela - Lessons for South Africa

Hugo Chavez's chosen successor Nicolas Maduro, has scrapped through with a lead of 240,000 votes against the opposition of Henrique Capriles. Maduro is to lead the Venezuelan state in continuing the program of social reforms known as the Bolivarian Missions, where the state after nationalising the oil company, used that revenue for the betterment of the poorest sectors of society. Health care, housing and education are made available through the Missions.

The opposition has cried foul, claiming about three thousand instances of fraud. So far protests have led to the deaths of nine people. Within a democratic system, voting is one way to decide an impasse. In this case the elections were as a result of the constitutional prescripts to elect a successor after the passing of Chavez. Once you count the votes and the other person has one or more votes than you, you have lost! The opposition in Venezuela have lost the election by more than one vote.

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