Venezuelans went to the polls on June 30 for mock elections ahead of the upcoming presidential vote, offering a glimpse of the challenges facing President Nicolás Maduro's bid for a third term amid widespread discontent and economic turmoil.

The rehearsals, mandated by Venezuela's National Electoral Council (CNE), officially aimed to familiarise voters with the electronic voting systems to be used on July 28. However, the drill also provided the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) an opportunity to gauge voter mobilisation efforts, crucial in light of declining support under Maduro's tenure.

In the capital, Caracas, participation was noticeably dominated by government employees and ruling party loyalists, reflecting concerns over coercion in attendance. Polling centres in opposition strongholds were reportedly deserted, as voters feared the government might use the occasion to identify people not aligned with the Bolivarian administration.

Despite these reservations, Maduro's administration portrayed the event as a success, boasting robust turnouts in traditionally Chavista neighbourhoods. Executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez hailed the exercises as a testament to Venezuela's commitment to democracy and stability. "We are seeing queues everywhere, especially in the popular sectors where we are seeing the greatest affluence and participation," Rodríguez said.

The upcoming election is set to be one of the toughest challenges for the PSUV since it rose to power 25 years ago under the leadership of Hugo Chávez. With Maduro facing historically low popularity ratings over economic mismanagement exacerbated by international sanctions, the democratic opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia represents a significant threat, backed by the Unitary Platform coalition and by firebrand opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.

As Venezuela grapples with an exodus of millions due to long-standing economic hardships, the electorate has diminished, with only around 17mn potential voters expected, down from over 21mn registered voters. The government has reportedly permitted a limited number of Venezuelans abroad to vote, though turnout is expected to be minimal compared to domestic polling stations.

The mock elections come amidst heightened international scrutiny, with the United States and other governments closely monitoring Maduro's bid for re-election amid allegations of electoral manipulation after it failed to comply with an agreement signed last October with the opposition in Barbados. The deal sparked optimism in the international community and prompted Washington to ease sanctions on Caracas for a six-month period, only to reimpose them in April after what it viewed as a score of serious breaches from the Maduro administration. Despite these challenges, ruling party officials remain steadfast, portraying the electoral process as "free and fair" and a crucial pillar of Venezuela's sovereignty and democratic heritage.