Venezuela’s crucial presidential election on July 28, 2024, has concluded with vote counting underway, as the nation decides between incumbent President Nicolás Maduro and opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia. The election, seen as a potential end to 25 years of chavista rule, has been marked by high tensions and reports of massive voter turnout.Opposition leader María Corina Machado, who was barred from running, has been a vocal presence throughout the day. She reported that over 9 million Venezuelans had voted and expressed joy at the high turnout, calling it ‘apocalyptic participation’. Machado urged supporters to remain at polling stations to monitor the vote count, stating, ‘We are at the most critical moment. The best way to defend ourselves is to be present at the polling station. The world is with us’.Two independent exit polls showed González leading Maduro by over 30 percentage points. However, Elvis Amoroso, head of the National Electoral Council, warned citizens not to trust exit polls circulating on social media. Attorney General Tarek William Saab claimed this election had the fewest incidents in seven years, describing it as ‘quick and clean’.Concerns about electoral fairness persist. The opposition coalition, Plataforma Unitária, reported instances of their observers being blocked from some polling stations and the National Electoral Council headquarters. These issues underscore the tensions surrounding the electoral process.As the nation awaits the official results, expected to be announced soon, both sides have expressed confidence in victory. González congratulated Venezuelans on the ‘historic day,’ citing ‘massive participation’. Meanwhile, Maduro has called for respect of the electoral council’s decision.The outcome of this election could have far-reaching implications for Venezuela’s political future, its economic recovery, and its relationships with the international community. With nearly 8 million Venezuelans having emigrated in recent years due to the economic crisis, the stakes for the country’s future direction are particularly high.
Key points
- Venezuela’s presidential election concluded with high voter turnout and tensions between incumbent Maduro and opposition candidate González.
- Opposition leader Machado reported over 9 million votes cast and urged supporters to monitor vote counting.
- Exit polls show González leading, but official results are still pending, with both sides claiming confidence in victory.
- Concerns about electoral fairness persist, with reports of obstacles for opposition observers.
Contradictions👾While opposition sources claim high turnout and potential victory, government officials warn against trusting unofficial results.
👾The Attorney General claims the election had few incidents, while the opposition reports observer blockages.
