Venezuela’s government claims victory in regional and legislative elections, despite a low voter turnout of over 40 percent. The electoral council, stacked with officials loyal to President Nicolás Maduro, announced the results on state television without providing evidence.
The opposition, led by Maria Corina Machado, had called for people to abstain from voting, citing concerns over the fairness of the election. However, a smaller group of opposition leaders, including Henrique Capriles, encouraged their supporters to participate in the elections.
According to reports, polling places were sparsely populated, with some areas seeing less than 10% of registered voters cast their ballots. The electoral council claimed that turnout was higher than 40%, but critics argue that this is not a reliable indicator of democracy.
The election results will likely have significant implications for Venezuela’s politics and economy. Maduro’s party has been in power for nearly a quarter century, and the opposition’s lack of participation may be seen as a blow to their chances of challenging his rule.
As Venezuelans wait for more information on the election results, many are expressing concerns over the country’s democratic future. The government has faced widespread criticism over its handling of previous elections, including allegations of vote-rigging and intimidation.
The low voter turnout in this election is particularly concerning given the high stakes involved. Venezuela’s economy is struggling, and the country faces significant challenges related to poverty, inequality, and human rights.
With millions of Venezuelans still living abroad and many more facing difficult economic conditions, it remains to be seen how the opposition will respond to these results. Will they continue to call for change, or will they retreat into opposition? Only time will tell.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/26/world/americas/venezuela-maduro-regional-election.html