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Venezuelans vote on term limits Venezuelans vote on term limits
(about 1 hour later)
Venezuelans have begun voting on a proposal that would allow President Hugo Chavez and other elected officials to seek as many terms as they wish. Long queues have formed outside polling stations across Venezuela as the nation votes on a proposal that would let Hugo Chavez serve longer as president.
A "yes" vote in Sunday's referendum would allow Mr Chavez to stay in office after his current term ends in 2012. A "yes" vote in the referendum would allow Mr Chavez to stay in office after his current term ends in 2012.
Mr Chavez has said the constitutional amendment is needed for the future of Venezuela's socialist revolution.Mr Chavez has said the constitutional amendment is needed for the future of Venezuela's socialist revolution.
But critics say it is designed to concentrate power in the president's hands for decades to come.But critics say it is designed to concentrate power in the president's hands for decades to come.
A proposal to end presidential term limits was one of a package of 69 constitutional changes narrowly rejected in a 2007 referendum. Many voters in the capital Caracas were woken by fireworks and recordings of military bugles played from loudspeakers on passing trucks, and long lines formed as polling stations opened at 0600 (1030GMT).
Security across the country is tight, with thousands of troops on duty to ensure the voting passes off peacefully.
Dozens of election observers from international bodies such as the UN and the Organisation of American States are also on hand to verify that the referendum is free and fair.
'Beyond 2013''Beyond 2013'
This year, however, the right of re-election has been extended to local governors and state politicians. Mr Chavez, who has said he wants to remain in office until 2021 as long as he can keep winning elections, had a slight lead in pre-election polls.
Ten years is nothing. I don't know what they're complaining about Hugo ChavezVenezuelan president Chavez to face crucial vote href="/1/hi/world/americas/7891331.stm">Voters' views A proposal to end presidential term limits was one of a package of 69 constitutional changes narrowly rejected in a 2007 referendum. Ten years is nothing. I don't know what they're complaining about Hugo ChavezVenezuelan president Chavez to face crucial vote href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/americas_venezuelans0_views_on_0chavez0_referendum/html/1.stm" onclick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/americas_venezuelans0_views_on_0chavez0_referendum/html/1.stm', '1234700130', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=500,height=400,left=280,top=100'); return false;">Voters' views
Some analysts say this change could make the difference for Mr Chavez, as many local governors are said to back the measure this time around, the BBC's Will Grant reports from Caracas. The issue of indefinite re-election has divided Venezuelans like almost no other, says the BBC's Will Grant in Caracas.
For a second time in little over a year the question is being decided at the ballot box.
The latest referendum, if passed, would remove the limit on the number of times local governors and state politicians, as well as the president, can stand for office.
Some analysts say this change could make the difference for Mr Chavez, as many local governors are said to back the measure this time around.
But the opposition is adamant that the proposal has been rejected once and should not be back under discussion, he says.But the opposition is adamant that the proposal has been rejected once and should not be back under discussion, he says.
Mr Chavez celebrated 10 years in power earlier this month. His current term is due to end in 2012. Spanish expulsion
Mr Chavez celebrated 10 years in power earlier this month. His current term is due to end in 2012.Long queues formed in the capital Caracas as polls opened at 0600
"Ten years is nothing," Mr Chavez said at a news conference on Saturday. "I don't know what they're complaining about.""Ten years is nothing," Mr Chavez said at a news conference on Saturday. "I don't know what they're complaining about."
"On Monday I'll wake up looking beyond 2013, and that will give me more confidence in what we're doing.""On Monday I'll wake up looking beyond 2013, and that will give me more confidence in what we're doing."
Mr Chavez also said that the expulsion on Friday of a Spanish deputy of the European parliament, Luis Herrero, would not affect Venezuela's relationship with Spain.Mr Chavez also said that the expulsion on Friday of a Spanish deputy of the European parliament, Luis Herrero, would not affect Venezuela's relationship with Spain.
Mr Herrero had been invited by a Venezuelan opposition party to observe Sunday's referendum and had criticised a decision to keep polls open for two hours longer than usual.Mr Herrero had been invited by a Venezuelan opposition party to observe Sunday's referendum and had criticised a decision to keep polls open for two hours longer than usual.