Venezuelans vote Sunday in regional elections to determine more than 20 governorships and 300 municipal posts.
President Hugo Chavez has expressed confidence his supporters will win a majority of the positions.
His opponents are considered to be divided since the head of state won a recall referendum vote in August.
The challengers said the balloting was rigged and they have continued to protest, although international observers say there was no evidence of cheating.
Some information for this report provided by AP.