Opponents of President Nicolas Maduro aim to translate popular frustration with shortages, recession and polarisation into an electoral majority in the 167-seat chamber. While polls are favourable to the opposition, denting the Bolivarian Revolution's 15-year electoral monopoly, hurdles lie ahead -- among them, newly announced gender parity requirements for female candidates to the Assembly.
The CNE's tardy ruling on gender quotas (and the election date) comes after MUD primaries that fail to meet new gender balance requirements.
In its own subsequent nominations process, the ruling PSUV similarly has also fallen short of female candidates.
The debate over female quotas and the constitutionality of their imposition will germinate new political fault lines.
