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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Chavez opponents make poll gains | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Venezuela's opposition has made gains in regional polls, but President Hugo Chavez's allies have held onto at least 17 of the country's 22 governorships. | |
| The opposition took the two most populous states, and won mayoral elections in the capital, Caracas. | The opposition took the two most populous states, and won mayoral elections in the capital, Caracas. |
| The polls are regarded as a critical test for Mr Chavez, whose allies until now controlled 21 states. | The polls are regarded as a critical test for Mr Chavez, whose allies until now controlled 21 states. |
| Elections were held to choose new governors and more than 300 mayors across the country. | Elections were held to choose new governors and more than 300 mayors across the country. |
| 'Exemplary conduct' | 'Exemplary conduct' |
| With more than 95% of votes counted overall, the opposition claimed victory in the key states of Miranda and Zulia, the biggest in terms of electorate. | With more than 95% of votes counted overall, the opposition claimed victory in the key states of Miranda and Zulia, the biggest in terms of electorate. |
| It's Venezuela's victory - the democratic path that Venezuela chose was ratified Hugo ChavezVenezuelan President | It's Venezuela's victory - the democratic path that Venezuela chose was ratified Hugo ChavezVenezuelan President |
| They also won mayoral elections in Caracas - formerly held by a Chavez supporter. The post is seen by some as the second most important job in the country. | They also won mayoral elections in Caracas - formerly held by a Chavez supporter. The post is seen by some as the second most important job in the country. |
| But Mr Chavez's Socialist Party also made gains, winning in the state of Sucre, the central Caracas district of Libertador and the president's home state, Barinas. | But Mr Chavez's Socialist Party also made gains, winning in the state of Sucre, the central Caracas district of Libertador and the president's home state, Barinas. |
| The BBC's Will Grant in Caracas says the results have enabled both sides to claim some sort of success. | The BBC's Will Grant in Caracas says the results have enabled both sides to claim some sort of success. |
| "It's Venezuela's victory," Mr Chavez said. "The democratic path that Venezuela chose was ratified." | "It's Venezuela's victory," Mr Chavez said. "The democratic path that Venezuela chose was ratified." |
| Officials estimated turnout at 64.5% of Venezuela's 17 million eligible voters, a record for local elections in recent years. | Officials estimated turnout at 64.5% of Venezuela's 17 million eligible voters, a record for local elections in recent years. |
| The electoral commission described the conduct of voters as exemplary. | The electoral commission described the conduct of voters as exemplary. |
| The outcomes in two states are still two close to call. | The outcomes in two states are still two close to call. |