Venezuela's CNE Prepares for July 27 Electoral Process

Venezuela's National Electoral Council (CNE) has completed preparations for the July 27 elections, when voters will select 335 mayors and 2,471 municipal council members, principal rector Carlos Quintero confirmed Sunday.

Following an audit of the voting system, Quintero told reporters these elections mark a historic milestone as "for the first time in democratic history, the CNE will conduct two electoral processes simultaneously." He credited this achievement to the electoral body's operational capacity and staff dedication in organizing dual elections within a 60-day timeframe.

As of Sunday, preparations stood at 85% completion. The ballot will include 15,791 candidates nominated by 53 political organizations through 148,554 proposals, with gender parity at 55.71% male and 44.29% female representation.

Parallel to Venezuela's 33rd constitutional election since the Bolivarian Revolution, the CNE will conduct the year's third National Popular Consultation focused on youth participation. Young voters will prioritize 37,080 community projects across 5,336 communal circuits through manual, direct, and secret voting.

CNE President Elvis Amoroso confirmed 15,731 voting centers will operate, with 20,410 polling stations including 15,936 dedicated to youth consultation. The electoral roll includes 21,524,121 registered voters.

Sunday's audit simulated the full July 27 process, verifying vote receipts match tally sheets and transmitted results. Amoroso emphasized the technical, logistical, and inter-institutional coordination enabling this unprecedented dual electoral event.