Observer of Venezuelan Elections Suspended for Violating Law

The president of Venezuela's electoral authority, Tibisay Lucena, announced Sunday that a member of the opposition's observation team, former Bolivian President Jorge Quiroga, had his credentials revoked for allegedly violating the country's electoral law.

"Mr. Quiroga’s credentials are suspended for giving inappropriate statements about the Venezuelan elections," said Lucena.

The president of the electoral authority, known as the CNE, stressed that neither Venezuelans nor international guests are allowed to make statements about the development of the parliamentary elections.

IN DEPTH: Venezuela’s Legislative Elections

Diosdado Cabello, president of the National Assembly and a leading figure within the ruling socialist party, also expressed outrage over Quiroga's comment.

"We have heard with indignation the statements from Quiroga … it is disrespectful, a flagrant violation of the law," Cabello said before suggesting that he should be expelled from the country.

Quiroga landed in hot water when he suggested that the opposition coalition, known as the MUD, was on course to win the election.

“A time of change is coming and the people are moving in that direction … I'm sure the will of the Venezuelan people for change will be imposed,” said Quiroga.

Venezuelan electoral law strictly prohibits any comments regarding results until the CNE releases its first official results.

Polls opened early Sunday in Venezuela's National Assembly election, with people lining up at polling stations well before the start of voting at 6 a.m. local time​.

Just under 100,000 officials presided over polling stations nationwide, including 130 international electoral monitors.

As many as 19 million registered voters are expected to cast ballots in the election, which has been predicted to be one of the tightest in years.