Venezuelan citizens in Malta yesterday joined their compatriots around the world in a symbolic vote against plans to rewrite the country’s Constitution, which opponents are insisting “could all but eliminate democracy”.

Activists set up a polling station at the Independence Gardens in Sliema, where a few dozen Venezuelans cast their votes throughout the day.

The unofficial referendum, which took place across Venezuela and in countries around the world, comes amidst a crippling economic crisis and three months of anti-government protests that have led to nearly 100 deaths.

Voters were asked three questions: if they reject the constitutional reforms, if they want the armed forces to defend the existing Constitution and if they want elections before the end of President Nicolas Maduro’s term in 2018.

We are trying to prevent civil war in our country

“We are trying to prevent a civil war in our country,” activist Josmar Díaz from Un Mundo Sin Mordaza told the Times of Malta of the international initiative yesterday.

“We are against the constitutional reforms, which we believe are illegal.

“We are a movement of Venezuelans all over the world, in different countries and from different walks of life, using our voice to say we do not agree with what they are doing. The Constitution must be respected.”

Ms Díaz, a former journalist who has sought political asylum in Malta, characterised the vote, which is not recognised by the Venezuelan government, as an act of civil disobedience and a chance for activists around the world to join their voices with those in their home country.

In a statement, the organisers said: “The tyrannical national executive has tightened its hold on Venezuela’s sovereign powers and the national armed forces defend an undemocratic political ideal, rather than the Venezuelan people.

“In addition, the Venezuelan people have fallen victim to a shortage of [food] and medical supplies, exorbitant inflation that exceeds 120 per cent and rates of violence that saw 21,752 homicides in 2016.”

The vote comes against the backdrop of near daily opposition protests, in many of which masked youths with stones, Molotov cocktails and home-made mortars have battled riot forces using tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets.

The unrest has caused fatalities among both demonstrators and security forces, mostly from gunshots, as well as hundreds of arrests and thousands of injuries since April.

Last week, seven National Guard troops were injured by an explosion along an avenue in Caracas, which the government blamed on the opposition.

With additional reporting by Reuters