Venezuela Expects 70 Percent Turnout for May Elections

A poll released today says that if Venezuela’s upcoming elections were held today the voter turn out would be 70 percent.

Venezuela will vote for a new president, legislature and municipal leaders on May 20.

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Of those surveyed by Hinterlaces survey organization, 67 percent of Venezuelans agree that new presidential elections should be held in two months, and 77 percent of citizens are against opposition parties attempt to boycott the presidential polls.

Local media are saying that the main opposition party - United Democratic Roundtable (MUD) - is trying to discredit the presidential opposition candidate Henri Falcon for his decision to run in the upcoming elections. The right-wing party is abstaining from sending in a candidate claiming the government is not providing the minimum standards to guarantee a free and fair election.

Meanwhile, President Nicolas Maduro is ensuring the validity of May 20 elections by employing the latest voter technology and is asking the United Nations to send observers to increase international legitimacy and transparency.

Falcon, who was kicked out of MUD for running in the elections called by Maduro last month, is backed by the opposition coalition - Advanced Progressives, Movement to Socialism and the Committee of Independent Political Electoral Organizations.

Political analyst Jose Vicente Rangel said today that there are tremendous fractions among the opposition while the recent creation of the Wide Patriotic Front - a conglomeration of parties that support Maduro’s re-election - indicates the national support for the incumbent.