Earlier this year the top court, which was packed by Chavez with socialist party loyalists in 2004, stripped the elected (but opposition-controlled) National Assembly of its power. After major international outrage (many groups including the OAS called it a 'coup'), Maduro backed off, and accordingly the court annulled its decision.

This next step is no better. Maduro is going to re-write Venezuela's constitution and no other parties will have anything to say in the matter. The upcoming vote is a sham, since there is no option on the ballot that can reject what it about to happen.