Divided, opposition to hold primaries with at least seven candidates in Venezuela

the ex-deputyfrom the and engineer María Coriat Axthe ex-candifrom theI’m presidential Henrique Capriles and at least five other people will run in the primary elections from the opposition from the Venezuela in October, at first race of its kind since 2012, seeking to topple President Nicolas Maduro atnext year’s general elections.

Freddy Superlano, from the party of opposition popular will, and Maria Machado have already formally registered, while Henrique Capriles said he plans to do so on Saturday (24), the last day for registration.

The fragmented orpositionwhich administers a parallel legislature recognizedfrom the by the United States and controls the country’s foreign assets, already faced widespread voter apathy, and now faces a new challenge: the firing this month of election board members, which forced opposition to carry out the endless pollatsupport or helpfrom the of State.

The replacement of the electoral board – which the opposition long claimed to be biased in favor of the ruling party, but which included two members from the opposition – can take more than two months.

This situation leaves little time for planning before from the October 22 vote, forcing the opposition to organize themselves without the council, said Jesús Maria Casal, chief from the Commission Atheatatl of Primary.

A opposition did not confirm how much the primary could cost, but theatlists estimate that printing and transporting banknotes, from theProviding snacks and transportation for election volunteers and advertising polling locations can cost between $5 million and $7 million.

Former parliamentarians Roberto Enriquez, Tamara Adrían, César Pérez Vivas and Delsa Solórzano, in addition to the former governmentatdor Andrés Velásquez, have also registered.