Maduro Calls Venezuelans to Vote Again Amid Controversial Election Climate

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is urging citizens to return to the polls this Sunday, despite widespread allegations by independent observers that he manipulated the results of last year’s presidential election.

In the previous vote, Maduro declared victory even though the official count indicated he had lost by a significant margin. Following that, a crackdown on protesters ensued, with hundreds still detained. This time, the elections are set to choose members of the legislative body, known as the National Assembly, along with governors for the country’s 23 states.

There will be no independent election monitors, and many inside Venezuela believe the results will again be manipulated. Analysts suggest Maduro is using these elections to present a fragile facade of democracy.

“These elections merely serve to maintain the status quo,” said Benigno Alarcón, director of the Center for Political and Government Studies at Andrés Bello Catholic University in Caracas.

Nevertheless, opposition candidates are participating in the race.