Venezuelan migrants across South America and Europe are facing difficulties registering to vote in their country’s upcoming presidential election on Sunday. Despite over half of the nearly 8 million Venezuelan emigrants being of voting age, only around 68,000 have managed to register abroad.
The difficulties are attributed to various bureaucratic hurdles, including closed consulates, stringent documentation requirements, and unclear polling station assignments. Many have reported being denied registration due to not meeting specific residency requirements or facing challenges accessing the necessary paperwork.
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The Venezuelan embassy in Spain, for instance, required 12 months of residency, excluding many migrants with humanitarian permits. In Uruguay, the registration system demanded a five-year residency permit, which many do not have.
The election is seen as a chance for the diaspora to influence the future of Venezuela and potentially return home. Despite the obstacles, many remain determined to vote, with the opposition candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, urging supporters to participate.
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Gonzalez’s campaign centers on family reunification and a promise to “bring them home,” resonating with many Venezuelan migrants who are eager to see their families reunited.
However, the challenging registration process leaves many feeling disillusioned and unable to exercise their democratic right to vote.