Venezuela Sets Date for Presidential Elections to be Held on July 28
The National Electoral Council of Venezuela (CNE) has officially announced that the country’s presidential elections will take place on Sunday, July 28. This decision comes after the CNE received 27 proposals for potential election dates from the National Assembly.
During a press conference, CNE President Elvis Amoroso outlined a schedule for the upcoming elections, including deadlines for activities such as updating the Electoral Registry and the nomination of candidates. The electoral campaign period is set to run from July 4 to 25.
Current President Nicolás Maduro, representing the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), is expected to run for re-election. Maduro has been in power since 2013, following the death of former President Hugo Chávez.
On the opposition side, María Corina Machado was initially chosen as the candidate, but the Supreme Court of Venezuela has ruled her disqualified. Despite this setback, Machado remains adamant about her candidacy and continues to be the preferred choice of opposition parties.
The decision to hold the presidential elections in July deviates from the usual tradition of scheduling them on the first Sunday in December. The upcoming elections are a result of the Barbados Accords signed between the Maduro Government and the opposition last October.
This announcement comes as Venezuela commemorates the eleventh anniversary of Hugo Chávez’s death on March 5. The political landscape in Venezuela remains tense as the country prepares for another crucial electoral process.