Venezuela's ruling alliance sweeps regional, legislative elections

CARACAS, May 27 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's ruling Great Patriotic Pole coalition secured over 83 percent of the votes in Sunday's regional and parliamentary elections, the National Electoral Council (CNE) said Tuesday.

With nearly all ballots counted and a voter turnout of 43 percent, the pro-government coalition won 5 million votes, accounting for 83.42 percent of the total, for the National Assembly, said CNE Vice President Carlos Quintero.

Opposition coalitions trailed far behind, with the Democratic Alliance receiving 6 percent and the UNTC-Unica alliance garnering 5 percent.

In terms of seats, the ruling bloc claimed 253 out of 267 in the new National Assembly.

The coalition also won 23 out of the 24 governorships and 235 of 260 seats in regional legislatures.

During the proclamation ceremony, Quintero hailed the vote as civic and democratic, urging new lawmakers to honor the people's trust with "honest service and work." ■