Venezuela recall referendum timeline

Venezuela’s National Election council says the country’s opposition will likely be able to hold a further signature drive in late October.

It needs four million people to support ousting President Nicloas Maduro from power to progress towards a referendum.

Timing is important. If Maduro loses a referendum this year it would trigger a presidential election that the opposition would likely win.

“It is determined that the vote happens as quickly as possible,” announced Tibisay Lucena, National Electoral Council President.

“There will be a recall referendum here and there will be a recall referendum this year, in 2016, because it is technically possible, because it is politically pertinent and because it is socially indispensable,” said Jesus Torrealba, opposition coalition secretary.

Maduro has consistently said it will not happen this year. A vote next year would allow his vice-president to take over until the end of his term.

Opposition protesters blame Maduro for a long recession and shortages of basic items in the shops.