Venezuelans on Sunday for the first time elected a governor and other lawmakers for Essequibo, an oil-rich region that Venezuela has laid claim to even though it is widely recognized as being part of neighboring Guyana.

Venezuela’s ruling coalition secures a big win in parliamentary and regional elections boycotted by the opposition.

The State Department says elections called by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to elect a governor and legislators for the oil-rich region of El Esequibo are a ‘sham.’

Venezuelans still reeling from the outcome of last year’s presidential election did not respond to government calls to get out and vote for lawmakers, governors and other officials.

An election without an electoral atmosphere. Ahead of the upcoming parliamentary and gubernatorial elections, campaigning and expectations are almost nonexistent on the streets of Venezuela. Opinion polls report that approximately 35% of the population is determined to vote,

Ahead of the vote – which is for local, regional, and legislative positions – I sat down with opposition leader María Corina Machado, who has been in hiding amid a fierce government crackdown since the election last year.

Venezuelans are scheduled to elect governors and new Congress officials this Sunday. Most polls predict low turnout due to a lack of faith in the electoral system.