Venezuela holds local and youth vote
Venezuelans participated in nationwide mayoral elections to elect 335 mayors and over 2,400 councilors, alongside approving community projects for youth. This election also marked the first National Popular Consultation of the Youth, where more than 37,000 projects were submitted for voting across 5,338 communes and communal circuits.
Gustavo Duque, the mayor of Chacao and a candidate for reelection, encouraged residents to vote, emphasizing the importance of participation. Chacao remains one of the few municipalities not under the ruling party's control. Over 21 million registered voters were eligible, with polling organized at more than 15,700 voting centers and 20,400 tables, including dedicated youth voting stations.
The electoral campaign, which ran from July 11 to July 24, allowed around 50 political organizations to hold public events in support of their candidates. The National Electoral Council (CNE) reported that preparations were nearly complete, with voting materials and staffing deployed nationwide. However, the political climate was contentious, with the main opposition alliance, Plataforma Unitaria, led by María Corina Machado, calling for a boycott of the elections, citing concerns over the fairness of previous electoral rounds, including the contested 2024 presidential election.
In contrast, smaller opposition groups, such as Manuel Rosales’s Avanzada Progresista, chose to participate despite facing significant barriers. Analysts predicted low voter turnout, potentially under 30%, drawing comparisons to previous elections where participation was around 42% or less.
These municipal elections represent the 33rd electoral process since the Bolivarian Revolution began.
