Venezuelans rehearse voting weeks before the pivotal presidential election

Some Venezuelans cast mock votes in a rehearsal Sunday, less than a month before the highly anticipated election in which President Nicolás Maduro seeks a third term. The test allows Venezuela’s ruling party to gauge its voter-mobilizing powers, which have significantly diminished during Maduro’s crisis-ridden presidency.
The exercise, largely featuring ruling party supporters and public employees, was held prior to other elections. It is technically meant to help voters familiarize themselves with the fingerprint readers and electronic voting machines that will be used on July 28.
The election is shaping up to be the biggest challenge the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela has faced in its 25-year dominance that began with the presidency of the fiery Hugo Chávez. The party seeks to control all branches of government for six more years, but its base is divided, diminished and disappointed.