Caracas , Venezuela ( CNN ) -- A manual recount of votes is n't possible in Venezuela , the head of the country 's Supreme Court said Wednesday , suggesting there is no legal basis for the opposition 's push for a ballot-by-ballot audit of the narrow presidential election results . In nationally televised remarks , Venezuelan Chief Justice Luisa Estella Morales said Venezuela 's 1999 constitution eliminated manual recounts in favor of a `` system audit . '' `` In Venezuela the electoral system is completely automated . Therefore , a manual count does not exist . Anyone who thought that could really happen has been deceived , '' she said . `` The majority of those who are asking for a manual count know it and are clear about it . Elections are not audited ballot by ballot but through the system . '' Her comments came a day after the sounds of clanking pots and pans and bursting fireworks rang out in Caracas as tensions mounted over Venezuela 's tight election results . It was a clear sign that days after Sunday 's presidential vote , fierce political battles are far from over in the deeply divided country . Supporters of opposition candidate Henrique Capriles Radonski banged pots and pans to protest the government 's refusal to recount the votes , while supporters of President-elect Nicolas Maduro set off fireworks to celebrate his victory and drown out the noise . Maduro , the late President Hugo Chavez 's handpicked successor , is scheduled to be sworn in on Friday . Election authorities proclaimed him president-elect on Monday despite Capriles ' demand for a recount . Venezuela 's state-run AVN news agency said at least eight people had been killed in post-election violence across the country . AVN also reported that authorities had arrested 135 people in connection with political violence . The government news agency tied the deaths to opposition protests and said the victims were all followers of Maduro . Government health clinics , food distribution centers , a bank and a preschool program were the targets of violence , officials said . CNN could not independently confirm the government reports of violence , and it was unknown whether there were any opposition injuries or fatalities . Maduro secured 50.8 % of votes in Sunday 's election , while opposition candidate Capriles won 49 % , Venezuela 's National Electoral Council said . Since the tally was announced , both Capriles and Maduro have publicly urged supporters to remain peaceful while also accusing each other of inciting violence . The issue of post-election clashes swiftly has become a flashpoint for a new round of political sparring , as Capriles repeated his calls for a recount and Maduro vowed to use an iron fist to crack down on any attempts to unseat him from the presidency . Analysis : Why Venezuela is so divided ? Capriles ' repeated demands for a recount have left key questions about Venezuela 's future unanswered : Will Maduro 's supporters stick behind him ? Will tension in the deeply divided country boil over after the tight race ? And will world leaders recognize the results ? U.S Secretary of State John Kerry said Wednesday that he could not say if he would recognize Maduro as the president-elect or not . `` We think there ought to be a recount . ... Obviously if there are huge irregularities we 're going to have serious questions about the viability of that government , '' Kerry said during a hearing of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee . His comments drew a stern response from Maduro , who said Wednesday in national broadcast remarks Wednesday that he `` does not care '' whether the United States recognizes his election victory . `` Do n't recognize anything . Your recognition does not matter to us , '' Maduro said . `` We have decided to be free and we are going to be free and independent , with you or without you . Your opinion is not important to us . '' CNN 's Paula Newton reported from Caracas . CNN 's Rafael Romo and Catherine E. Shoichet reported from Atlanta . CNN 's Esprit Smith , Pierre Mielhan and Jose Armijo contributed to this report .
NEW : Maduro says he does n't care if the United States recognizes his presidency . Chief justice says the constitution does not allow for manual recounts . Protesters bang pots and pans in a continued push for a recount . 8 people have died in post-election protests , state news agency reports .