BTN News: The electoral process in Venezuela commenced as polling stations began opening slightly past 6:00 AM local time (10:00 GMT) this Sunday, welcoming voters for the presidential election. More than 21 million citizens are expected to cast their votes in this pivotal event. According to the National Electoral Council (CNE), many of the 15,767 voting centers were operational at the scheduled time, with an official update anticipated to reveal the percentage of stations that opened on time and any early incidents reported.
Reports via social media indicate that Venezuelans in various regions have been forming long queues outside voting centers, with some voters lining up since Saturday night. The regulations stipulate that over 30,000 voting tables will remain open for 12 hours uninterrupted and will continue to operate as long as there are voters in line.
This fully digitalized voting process features ten candidates on the electoral machines, including the incumbent president Nicolás Maduro, who is vying for a third consecutive six-year term. Besides Maduro, the key contenders include Edmundo González Urrutia, the former ambassador representing the primary opposition coalition, the Democratic Unity Platform (PUD), which is participating in the presidential election as a united front for the first time since 2013 when Maduro initially took office.
Additionally, the evangelical pastor Javier Bertucci, comedian Benjamín Rausseo, former mayors Daniel Ceballos and Claudio Fermín, former councilman Antonio Ecarri, deputies Luis Eduardo Martínez and José Brito, and former electoral rector Enrique Márquez, who is closely aligned with the major anti-Chavista factions, are also running.
To ensure the security of the election, over 388,000 members of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) and various state security agencies are deployed nationwide. Furthermore, there is a temporary “closure” for cross-border movement of people and vehicles at the land borders with neighboring countries Colombia and Brazil to maintain order during the election period.
This significant electoral event marks a crucial moment for Venezuela as it navigates through its political landscape, with citizens eagerly participating to determine their nation’s future leadership. The high turnout and early activity indicate a strong engagement from the electorate, reflecting the importance of this election in shaping the country’s direction in the coming years.
