A man places the voting list at a polling station in Caracas this Sunday. Voting centers began opening their doors this Sunday in Venezuela. Photo: Boris Vergara/EFE.
Caracas (OrinocoTribune.com)âVenezuelans are participating this Sunday in municipal elections for 2,806 positions. This is the 33rd election in the last 26 years, as well as the first National Youth Consultation. A total of 21,524,126 citizens are eligible to vote for 335 mayors and 2,471 principal councilors under the latest electoral registry update.
The voting day began at 6 a.m. and was initially scheduled to end at 6 p.m., with hours being extended at the discretion of the electoral authority, the National Electoral Council (CNE). This election day includes 93,104 polling station members, 60,515 CNE technicians, and 379,989 Plan RepĂşblica personnel.
CNE Vice President Carlos Quintero said on Sunday at 8 p.m. that 98 percent of polling stations were open for the elections. He also reported elections will be held August 3 to select 69 councilors representing Indigenous people.
Zero incidents
President NicolĂĄs Maduro exercised his right to vote at the SimĂłn RodrĂguez Bolivarian Ecological School in Fuerte Tiuna with first lady Deputy Cilia Flores, stating the electoral process had passed without incident.
He highlighted security forcesâ work: “Do you know why theyâre patrolling? Because theyâre on the lookout for terrorist groups, mercenaries, and violent people 24 hours a day. There hasnât been a single incident leading up to July 27.”
Maduroâs statements were confirmed Sunday afternoon by Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino on state TV: “There has been no mishap anywhere. The Bolivarian National Armed Force (FANB) remains active to ensure normality.”
President not appointed by the empire
Maduro stated: “In 12 months, Venezuela has voted seven times. The president is elected by the peopleânot appointed by the empire. Remember when they tried to impose GuaidĂł? No one remembers him.”
He listed recent electoral milestonesâpresidential votes, community consultations, and local electionsâcalling them a “democratic feat” driven by grassroots circuits. “Democracy canât be reduced to voting every five years. The Western model is exhausted. We must build direct democracy where the people rule.”
Venezuela Holds Municipal Elections July 27: Youth Projects, Security & Key Races
Maduroâs proposed 2025 constitutional reformâincluding electoral changes rooted in Venezuelaâs communal systemâhas advanced slowly. Many believe the December referendum deadline may be extended.
Polling station schedule extended
CNE President Elvis Amoroso announced before closing time that voting would extend to 8 p.m., citing rain delays.
He emphasized normal proceedings: “The Venezuelan people have shown the world they want peace and institutional strength. Venezuela is a global example in deepening democracy.”
Special for Orinoco Tribune by staff
OT/JRE/JB
