Venezuela's president says opposition boycott of mayoral elections disqualifies them from next year's presidential vote
ADVERTISEMENTVenezuelan president, Nicolas Maduro, has banned the country's main opposition parties from taking part in next year's presidential election.
He said only those which took part in Sunday's mayoral polls would be able to contest the presidency.
Leaders from the Justice First, Popular Will and Democratic Action parties boycotted the vote claiming the electoral system is biased.
Venezuelans have been casting their ballots in 335 mayoral races that the ruling Socialist Party looked sure to win despite a worsening economic crisis.
Some opposition parties did take part but it seems to have left many anti-government supporters confused.
Maduro has already claimed his party has won over 90 percent of the mayorships