Low Voter Turnout Expected in Venezuela’s Upcoming Elections
CARACAS — The shadow of President Nicolás Maduro’s controversial re-election still looms large over Venezuela, leading many to doubt the value of participating in the upcoming legislative and gubernatorial elections. On Sunday, Venezuelans will head to the polls to choose 285 members of the National Assembly and 24 governors.
These elections were called after the disputed presidential election last July, where Maduro was declared the winner by the National Electoral Council (CNE). Many opposition voices, as well as various governments in the region, the United States, and Europe, have rejected this outcome.
Carmen Medina, a 36-year-old merchant, expressed her disappointment, stating, “They mocked us on July 28. I don’t plan on voting.” This sentiment reflects a broader disillusionment; sociologist Roberto Briceño highlighted that many Venezuelans no longer see voting as a way to instigate change or improve the dire situation in the country.
“The motivation to participate is simply not there,” Briceño noted, predicting very low turnout. Many citizens feel downhearted about the future, especially after feeling let down by the voting process in the past.
The elections are taking place nearly ten months after the controversial presidential vote. The CNE, which has a pro-government majority, declared Maduro the winner without a thorough count of the ballots. According to the CNE, Maduro received 6.4 million votes, while opposition candidate Edmundo González garnered 5.3 million.
González, a retired diplomat at 75, is recognized by some nations and the Organization of American States as Venezuela’s legitimate president, having provided credible evidence for his claim.
A recent poll by Delphos, a Venezuelan research firm, revealed that only 15.9% of voters felt likely to participate in the upcoming elections. Of those, 74.2% said they would support candidates aligned with Maduro’s United Socialist Party of Venezuela, while only 13.8% indicated they would back opposition figures Manuel Rosales and Henrique Capriles, who chose to ignore calls for a boycott from opposition leader María Corina Machado.
Key reasons for abstaining include a lack of trust in the CNE, the belief that voting is pointless, and the sentiment that participating would mean conceding the legitimacy of the July election results. This study was based on interviews with over 1,000 registered voters, with a margin of error of 2.5%.
While some, including Rosales, are urging participation, he emphasized the importance of exercising the right to vote, stating, “We cannot throw our political fight away.” Rosales is seeking re-election as governor of Zulia state.
Capriles has announced his candidacy for a legislative seat after a ban preventing him from holding public office for 15 years was unexpectedly lifted. However, some dissenting opposition legislators, perceived as too close to Maduro, have also dismissed calls for a boycott.
Supporters of the ruling party are willing to vote but have expressed frustration with the current state of the nation. “I hope Maduro can solve the crisis soon,” said José Alvarado, a 47-year-old mechanic.
In Venezuela, where wages are set in bolívares and prices often reference dollar values, recent fluctuations in exchange rates have raised concerns. Economist Pedro Palma predicts inflation this year could reach between 180% and 200%.
The CNE has promised to ensure reliability and transparency in the elections. However, political analyst Benigno Alarcón anticipates that actual participation will only be around 20%, noting, “At the end of the day, there is no dilemma between voting and not voting.”
