Story highlights Opponents of President Nicolas Maduro pass first hurdle to organize recall referendumMaduro has presided over economic and social crises in Venezuela(CNN) Venezuela's opposition has cleared a major hurdle in its push to oust President Nicolas Maduro. Opponents collected enough signatures to begin the process to recall the unpopular leader, electoral authorities said in a televised press conference Monday. But even as she announced the results Monday, Venezuela's top election official called for an investigation into irregularities in the list of signatures. The government certification is a significant step; for months officials said there would never be a popular vote to remove Maduro. There were at least 1,326 instances of voter identity fraud, National Election Council President Tibisay Lucena said.

Source: CNN August 02, 2016 03:45 UTC