Boycotting elections often contributes to greater authoritarian control and deepens divisions within the opposition.

Polling places in Caracas, the capital, and other cities were sparsely populated but officials claimed turnout was higher than 40 percent.

Chavismo allegedly won 82.6% of the vote and nearly all governorships, amid widespread abstention. María Corina Machado praised the population for ‘not heeding the regime’s call’