Vivian Sequera, Mayela Armas

CARACAS, (Reuters) – Venezuelans will vote in Sunday’s local and regional elections. This is a significant challenge for both electoral authorities as well as opposition politicians. These are returning to fight for votes against President Nicolas Maduro’s government for the fourth time in four years.

More than 3,000 governors of states, mayors, and city councils across South America will be selected during these elections. South American is currently in a severe recession.

Maduro’s government was accused of fraud by opposition politicians who boycotted the 2018 presidential and 2020 parliamentary elections.

The opposition would lose 4 of the 23 state governorships in which it was elected in 2017. This would leave it without the necessary power base to run a campaign for the 2024 presidential election.

This vote will determine the impartiality Venezuela’s electoral board, which included in May two of its top directors. It is now the most balanced in its 17-year history, according to its members.

The first European Union mission to observe elections since 2006 will have around 1000 observers at the 14400 polling centers.

Maduro as well as Juan Guaido the opposition leader, were both encouraging supporters to vote. Guaido decried conditions for voting.

Betty Gomez (48), from Valencia in Venezuela’s Carabobo State, said that “I want to see change in my country,” and added that she would vote for an opponent candidate.

Other people will support the candidates of the government. Nelson Aparicio (44-year-old teacher from Tachira, which is bordered by Colombia) will back the government’s candidate to tackle issues such as power shortages and fuel scarcity.

Aparicio stated, “I think (Freddy Bernal) doesn’t represent an wealthy demographic, but everybody,” and that talks are needed to bring the country together.