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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
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| Venezuelans vote on term limits | Venezuelans vote on term limits |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Long queues have formed outside polling stations as Venezuela votes on a proposal that would let President Hugo Chavez stay in power beyond 2012. | Long queues have formed outside polling stations as Venezuela votes on a proposal that would let President Hugo Chavez stay in power beyond 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 close results is predicted, but Mr Chavez said "we shall respect the results, whatever they may be". | A close results is predicted, but Mr Chavez said "we shall respect the results, whatever they may be". |
| Many voters in the capital Caracas were woken by fireworks and recordings of military bugles played from loudspeakers on passing trucks, and long queues formed as polling stations opened at 0600 (1030 GMT). | Many voters in the capital Caracas were woken by fireworks and recordings of military bugles played from loudspeakers on passing trucks, and long queues formed as polling stations opened at 0600 (1030 GMT). |
| Security across the country is tight, with thousands of troops on duty to ensure the voting passes off peacefully. | 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. | 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' |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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 voteVoters' 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 voteVoters' views |
| The issue of indefinite re-election has divided Venezuelans like almost no other, says the BBC's Will Grant in 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| Spanish expulsion | 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 | 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. |