Seven million against one: Venezuela marks its symbolic rejection of President Maduro's call for constitution rewrite

This proposal comes at a time of escalating tensions in a nation stricken by widespread shortages and more than 100 days of anti-government protests. Venezuelan citizens living in Panama walk to a poll station during a symbolic referendum in Panama City on Sunday.

Opponents of Venezuela's government blame the protest for turning one of the region's most prosperous countries into an economic basket case with a shrinking economy, soaring inflation and widespread shortages. Members line up to cast their ballots in Caracas, Venezuela.

Venezuelan citizens living in Panama walk to a poll station during a symbolic referendum in Panama City.

A woman, with a Venezuela flag over her shoulders, casts her ballot during the symbolic referendum in Madrid.

A man wearing a sunglasses with the colours of the Venezuelan flag lineup prior cast his ballot at a poll station in Caracas, Venezuela.

Supporters of Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro line up to cast their ballots during a test in preparation for the election of members of a constitutional assembly in Caracas, Venezuela.

Opposition leader Henrique Capriles shows a ballot during a symbolic referendum in Caracas, Venezuela.

The referendum was organised largely by ordinary citizens in a short period of time, with just 2,000 polling stations, compared to 14,000 during the last elections, in 2015, that saw the opposition sweep parliament.

The prime question before voters concerned Maduro's intention to hold an election on July 30 to choose 545 members of a citizens' body called the 'Constituent Assembly' that would redo the constitution.

The result may not have been binding, but Venezuela 'sent a clear message to the national executive and the world,' announced Central University of Venezuela president. People count votes after a symbolic referendum in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, July 16, 2017.

People count votes after a symbolic referendum in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, July 16, 2017.

It needs to be seen if the strategy to intensify protests will stop President Maduro's plan to rewrite the constitution. Opposition leaders celebrate after the announcement of results of the symbolic referendum in Caracas, Venezuela.