Venezuelans are flocking to polling centers in large numbers today to cast their votes in a highly consequential presidential election. The current leader and longtime strongman, Nicolas Maduro, is facing one of his toughest political challenges yet. Analysts believe that this election will shape the future of Venezuela, a country that has been plagued by an economic collapse and an exodus of its citizens.

Long lines began to form outside polling centers in the capital city of Caracas before they opened at 6 a.m. ET. Many voters expressed their concerns for the future of their country, hoping to bring about change.

"I'm doing this for my children and my grandchildren," said voter Amelia Perez, who has family members who have already left Venezuela due to the dire situation. "I want [my son] to come back, and I don't want my children to leave."

Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, is seeking his third consecutive six-year term. His main challenger is the Democratic Unitary Platform, a united opposition movement that has overcome internal divisions to form a coalition. The opposition has managed to maintain its momentum despite government repression. María Corina Machado, the original candidate favored by the opposition, was disqualified from running. She has thrown her support behind Edmundo González Urrutia, a former diplomat known for his soft-spoken demeanor.

This election comes at a critical moment for Venezuela, which has experienced violent repression under Maduro's leadership and witnessed one of the worst economic collapses in recent history. The once oil-rich nation, once the fifth-largest economy in Latin America, has shrunk to the equivalent of a medium-sized city in terms of economic output.

The United States and European Union have imposed punishing sanctions on the Maduro regime, but these measures have failed to remove him from power. Maduro argues that Venezuela is a victim of an "economic war," blaming external forces for the country's woes.

The impact of this election extends beyond Venezuela's borders, as approximately eight million Venezuelans have fled the country due to shortages of essential goods and hyperinflation.

Despite concerns of potential vote tampering, opposition party representatives are present at polling stations, mitigating some worries surrounding the fairness of the contest. However, Maduro's government controls all public institutions in Venezuela and has been accused of rigging previous elections.

Human rights organizations report that at least 71 individuals, mainly associated with the opposition, have been arbitrarily detained during the election campaign. Additionally, a dozen online media outlets have been blocked within the country.

While a limited number of international election observers, including a team from The Carter Center, are on the ground, several others have decided against traveling to Venezuela to monitor the vote.

Leaders from across Latin America, including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, have called on Maduro to commit to stepping down if he loses. Opposition figures have also appealed to the country's military, historically aligned with Maduro, to respect the election results.

The crucial role of the military in determining the outcome is uncertain, as it remains a secretive institution. Laura Cristina Dib, the Venezuela Program Director at the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), stated, "The military is absolutely key. But I must also say that the military is very hermetic, [and] it is very difficult to access information about what it is thinking."

Polls in Venezuela will close at 6 p.m. ET, with the future of the country hanging in the balance as its citizens eagerly await the results.