Countdown Begins to the World’s Biggest Election: Political Focus

India finally called its much-anticipated election for this spring, and it’s a beast. With an electorate of some 900 million, voting takes place in seven phases over more than five weeks, with the results announced on May 23. The world’s biggest democratic exercise contrasts with the tussle for power in Venezuela following a disputed presidential vote. As Nicolas Maduro and opposition leader Juan Guaido vie for the presidency, the people of Venezuela – once South America’s richest nation – continue to struggle for food, medicines and now even electricity. Events in India and Venezuela were among the most compelling political images of the week.