'No doubt' official turnout figures for Venezuela's election inflated

The results of the Venezuela election for a constitutional assembly were tampered with, the company providing the technology recording the vote has said.

Antonio Mugica, the chief executive of Smartmatic, which provides voting technology around the world, said the result had been overstated by "at least one million votes".

Mr Mugica said results recorded by Smartmatic's systems and those reported by Venezuela's National Electoral Council indicate the turnout had been overstated by "at least one million votes".

Speaking at a press conference in London, Mr Mugica said: "Based on the robustness of our system, we know, without any doubt, that the turnout of the recent election for a national constituent assembly was manipulated."

Mr Mugica declined to directly answer whether the manipulated turnout figures had changed the result of the election

In light of Mr Migoca's comments, Venezuela congress leader has called for an investigation of allegation that vote turnout figures were manipulated.

President Nicolas Maduro's government announced on Sunday that more than eight million Venezuelans had voted.

His statement was questioned by at least one independent exit poll which showed turnout was less than half that number.

The head of Venezuela's National Electoral Council dismissed the claims.

Tibisay Lucena says Smartmatic's claims amounted to an "opinion" by a company without access to data determining the results.

She added the council reserves the right to seek legal action against what she calls an "irresponsible declaration."

Turnout is seen as crucial in determining the legitimacy of the controversial vote that granted the government of President Nicolas Maduro far-reaching new powers.

Opposition leaders boycotted the election, arguing voting terms were rigged to favour the ruling socialist party.

Nearly 7.6 million people voted in a symbolic referendum rejecting the assembly two weeks before the vote.