Venezuela - May 2025
Elections are held for legislature and regional governments
On 25 May, Venezuela held elections to choose National Assembly deputies, local lawmakers and regional governments. According to the National Electoral Council, the ruling party (Simon Bolivar Great Patriotic Pole) attained 82.6 per cent of votes for parliament, and 23 out of 24 governorships. Notably, ballots included options for the election of government in the Essequibo, an area over which Guyana and Venezuela have had disputes in recent years (and over which a majority in the international community recognize Guyanese sovereignty). The Electoral Council estimated voter turnout to be around 42.6 per cent (an increase from 30.5 per cent from the last parliamentary elections of 2020). The opposition disputes the data and claims absenteeism was around 85 per cent. Five of the elected governors were women; official data on the number of women winning seats in the legislature is pending. No independent international electoral observation missions were present for election.
Sources: BBC, The Guardian, France 24, El Pais
