Latin America - Presidential election in crisis state Venezuela begins
In crisis-stricken Venezuela, elections are being held for a new State President. Already a few minutes after the polling stations opened at 6 am local time (12 pm CET), President Nicolás Maduro cast his vote in the capital Caracas. Besides the authoritarian Maduro, who is seeking a third term, there are nine other candidates running for the highest state office. According to several polls, Maduro could in fact face the threat of being recalled after eleven years in power. However, observers do not expect a free and fair election. Recently, numerous opposition figures have been arrested and government-critical candidates have been barred from running.
The EU does not have observers present due to the Venezuelan Electoral Council revoking an invitation on account of existing personal sanctions against members of the National Electoral Council. Even the left-wing Brazilian government had recently announced it would not send observers, following disputes between the presidents of both countries.
Four former Latin American presidents were reportedly prevented from traveling to observe the elections by Panamanian authorities on Friday. The United Nations have sent some election experts, but their roles are limited as the body does not issue public evaluations of the election process.
Only a few eligible voters abroad are allowed to vote
Approximately 21.6 million people are eligible to vote. Among them are Venezuelan expatriates. However, out of the 4.5 million eligible voters outside the country, only about 69,000 have been registered who meet the conditions set by the government for voting abroad. The elections will be won in the first round with a simple majority.
Venezuela has been mired in a severe 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 estimates, more than seven million Venezuelans have left the country in the past years due to poverty and violence.
- Despite being in a crisis state for several years, Venezuelans are participating in a presidential election to choose their new State President.
- The capital city, Caracas, where the polling stations are located, witnessed President Nicolás Maduro casting his vote early in the morning.
- Edmundo González, one of the nine opposing candidates, is also vying for the highest state office, aiming to potentially end Maduro's eleven-year reign.
- Latin American observers have been barred from monitoring the election, following the arrest of opposition figures and exclusion of government-critical candidates from running.
- Amidst the crisis, only a limited number of eligible voters abroad are permitted to participate in the presidential election, with only around 69,000 out of 4.5 million registered voters meeting the government's conditions for voting overseas.
