Venezuelans go to polls in vote seen as gauge of Maduro's grip on power

[Eugene]

Source: The Guardian

Venezuelans go to polls in vote seen as gauge of Maduro's grip on power

Polls suggest opposition could win more than half of 23 gubernatorial elections amid claims government is trying to subvert vote

Sibylla Brodzinsky
Sunday 15 October 2017 15.36 BST

Venezuelans are casting their votes in gubernatorial elections expected to be a gauge of support for a fractured opposition and of President Nicolás Maduro’s grip on power in a country crippled by severe economic and political crises.

Polls suggest opposition candidates could win more than half of the 23 governor seats, but Maduro critics claim that government-friendly electoral officials have twisted voting procedures to favour official candidates.

The opposition coalition, which led months of anti-government protests this year in which more than 120 people have been killed, is hoping for a massive turnout, as polls show that most Venezuelans are deeply disenchanted with Maduro and the ruling socialist party.

“If the vote were to be completely free and fair, the (opposition coalition) would likely win between 18 and 21 states,” said Risa Grais-Targow, an analyst with the consultancy firm Eurasia Group.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/15/venezuela-polls-vote-maduro-grip-on-power-opposition-elections

[GatoGordo]

1. Not too many are putting too much faith in the elections

First, Maduro is trying to make it difficult for people to vote in opposition strong holds. For example, they have relocated hundreds of voting stations and people are not being told where they are located.

Second, there is no transparency. Gone are all the safeguards of previous elections (ones in which Maduro got his ass handed to him) NO ink. NO paper trail. NO receipts.

Third, the manufacturers of the previous voting devices claimed fraud by the Chavista government during the ANC election... only to have Maduro fire them and bring in a "new" manufacturer of voting machines with ties to Chavismo. It would be akin to the Trump bringing in his company's henchmen to assure a "fair" election.

Fourth, the losers of the MUD primaries are still on the ballots, in order to confuse voters by splitting their votes.

Fifth, Maduro refuses to allow impartial observers into Venezuela to gauge the fairness of the vote. The only ones allowed in are CEELA observers (Marxists from Cuba, Nicaragua and El Salvador) The international press is being kept out as well.

No one really expects Maduro and the PSUV to lose. Its just a matter of how much they win by.

Not that it matters. The ANC has already said they will neuter local officials. All power will rest in the ANC, who will at their leisure choose who THEY think is best suited to be in leadership positions.

[GatoGordo]

2. Venezuela officials say Chavistas win majority of 23 governors offices in pivotal elections

Published Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017 | 7:22 p.m.
Updated 40 minutes ago
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP)

Venezuela officials say ruling party wins majority of 23 governors' offices in pivotal elections.

https://lasvegassun.com/news/2017/oct/16/venezuela-officials-say-ruling-party-wins-majority

Was there any doubt?

[GatoGordo]

3. Venezuelans loves disease, poverty and hunger! Vote for more of it!

From TeleSur, a semi-official mouthpiece for the Maduro et alli:

A huge win for the PSUV. The people have chosen Chavismo.

https://twitter.com/telesurenglish?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Enews%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor