Explainer-What is at stake in Venezuela's regional elections?

FILE PHOTO: Election observers with the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM), visit an electoral college, ahead of Sunday's election November 21, as part of their first mission to the South American country in 15 years, in Caracas, Venezuela November 4, 2021. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelans will vote on Sunday to elect state governors, mayors and municipal councillors, in the first elections contested by the opposition https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/with-catchy-jingles-cautious-optimism-venezuela-opposition-returns-ballot-2021-11-17 since 2017.

WHY IS THE ELECTION IMPORTANT?