Venezuela: Maduro bars opposition from taking part in next Presidential polls
Caracas, Dec 11 (IBNS): Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro has barred opposition parties from taking part in Presidential polls, scheduled for 2018.
The President took the decision on Sunday, after three opposition parties, Popular Will, Democratic Action and Justice First, boycotted the mayoral elections.
The parties cited bias and foul play while quitting the polls.
However, Maduro, who has been accused of keeping a dictator-like approach, took the opportunity to announce, "A party that has not participated today and has called for the boycott of the elections can't participate anymore."
According to experts, Maduro's Socialist Party is expected to win the mayoral polls.
Maduro, who began as a popular leader, has seen a decline in popularity with Venezuela facing an economic crisis.
Commentators have blamed Maduro's ambitions and his government's mismanagement for the erosion of country's wealth.
Venezuelans too have been polarised in the recent past, with one half supporting him and the other wanting the Socialist Party to end their 18-year-long rule.
Image: Website grab from BBC
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