Politics Presidential election begins in crisis-hit Venezuela
The election for a new head of state is underway in the crisis-hit country of Venezuela. President Nicolás Maduro cast his vote in the capital Caracas just a few minutes after the polling stations opened at 6 a.m. local time (12 p.m. CEST). In addition to the authoritarian Maduro, who is seeking a third term in office, nine other candidates are vying for the highest office of state. Alongside Maduro, former diplomat Edmundo González Urrutia from the opposition alliance Plataforma Unitaria Democrática is considered to have the best chances.
28.07.2024, 13:12
SDA
According to several polls, Maduro could indeed face the threat of being voted out of office after eleven years in power. However, observers do not expect a free and fair election. Recently, numerous members of the opposition were arrested and candidates critical of the government were not allowed to stand for election.
The EU is not represented by observers, as Venezuela's electoral authority had revoked an invitation due to existing personal sanctions against representatives of the National Electoral Council. Even Brazil's left-wing government recently announced that it would not be sending any election observers following a spat between the presidents of the two countries.
According to the Panamanian authorities, four Latin American ex-presidents were prevented from traveling to observe the elections on Friday. Although the United Nations has sent some election experts, their roles are limited as the body does not make public statements to assess the election process.
Only a few eligible voters abroad are allowed to vote
A total of around 21.6 million people are eligible to vote. This includes Venezuelans living abroad. However, of the 4.5 million eligible voters outside the country, only around 69,000 were registered as meeting the requirements set by the government for voting abroad. The elections are won by a simple majority in the first round.
Venezuela has been in a serious political and economic crisis for years. The economy of the once prosperous country with rich oil reserves is suffering from mismanagement, corruption and sanctions. According to UN figures, more than seven million people have left Venezuela in recent years due to poverty and violence.
