In a contested election marked by low participation and boycotts from opposition figures, Venezuela's electoral authority declared a sweeping victory for President Nicolás Maduro's party. Shortly after the closure of polls in Caracas and beyond, officials claimed that turnout exceeded 40%, a figure met with skepticism given the sparse attendance at polling sites. Opposition leader María Corina Machado had urged her followers to abstain from voting, citing ongoing political repression. The announcement further consolidates Maduro’s control, stripping the opposition of several crucial governorships, including Zulia, the nation's most populous state. Notably, these election results come on the heels of a presidential election marred by controversy, where Maduro was found to have lost based on independent estimates.
Venezuela's Government Declares Electoral Triumph Amid Opposition Boycott
Venezuela's Government Declares Electoral Triumph Amid Opposition Boycott
Nicolas Maduro's administration announces major wins in regional elections, despite claims of low voter turnout and absence of independent monitoring.
The electoral body's vice president, Carlos Quintero, stated that Maduro's coalition secured over 80% of legislative votes and 22 out of 23 governorships, leaving only Cojedes under opposition control. Critics argue that the legitimacy of these results is undermined by the lack of international observers and the absence of online results publication—practices previously upheld in more transparent elections.
