The Democratic Opposition Boycotts Elections in Venezuela and Russia

           Elections in Venezuela and Russia are being boycotted by the democratic opposition of each country, as the elections in both states are not free and fair.

            The Socialist dictatorship of Venezuela has invited international observers to monitor upcoming elections for its newly-created national legislature, but the invitation is a propaganda ploy to make the regime seem legitimate, as the opposition is boycotting the vote.  The dictatorship had created the new legislature, which supplanted the Congress, using a special constitutional provision, after the democratic opposition had won a congressional supermajority, despite the violations of liberty by the authoritarian regime.  The new legislature is partly appointed and has seats reserved for regime-backed constituencies.  Elections in Venezuela are not free and fair because of the lack of freedom overall and because regime opponents are persecuted or prohibited from taking their seats.

           

            In Russia, seven candidates for President of the Russian Federation have been permitted to stand for election in March against tyrant Vladimir Putin, but the candidacy of the main opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, is prohibited, even though he had obtained the requisite signatures.  The democratic opposition to the authoritarian regime is boycotting the election.  Only regime-approved candidates or token opponents are ever permitted run for president.  Elections are also not free and fair in Russia because election campaigns do not take place in freedom, as the freedoms of speech, peaceful assembly and the press are curtailed. 

            The Venezuelan and Russian regimes were originally elected democratically, but became increasingly authoritarian.  The Venezuelan and Russian people are no longer free.  Authoritarian regimes in general, but especially those originally elected democratically, use elections as a pretense to make their regimes seem legitimate.  Because despots are afraid of being held accountable and losing power through popular elections, however, authoritarian regimes rig elections by various means in order to guarantee the outcome of the regime retaining power.  The despot then uses the pretense of the popular will in order to quash dissent even further.  

           Therefore, free countries ought not legitimize authoritarian regimes by recognizing the outcomes of undemocratic elections and must instead insist on free and fair elections.