Venezuela opposition seeks to end 25 years of socialist power in Sunday vote

CARACAS, July 26 (Reuters): Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado and her coalition's candidate Edmundo Gonzalez have commanded enthusiastic crowds during their campaign to unseat President Nicolas Maduro and end 25 years of ruling party dominance.
But uncertainty remains about how Sunday's election will play out, with Maduro - whose 2018 reelection is considered fraudulent by the United States, among others - sounding a confident note and opposition figures and analysts warning of possible underhandedness.
Gonzalez has attracted significant support, even from former supporters of the ruling party, but the opposition and some observers have questioned whether the vote will be fair, saying decisions by electoral authorities and the arrests of some opposition campaign staff are meant to create obstacles.
Gonzalez and Machado have urged voters to cast ballots early and hold "vigils" at polling stations until they close. They have said they expect the military to uphold the results of the vote.