Venezuelans have voted to lift limits on terms in office for elected officials, allowing President Hugo Chavez to stand for re-election.
Venezuelans have voted to lift limits on terms in office for elected officials, allowing President Hugo Chavez to stand for re-election.
With 94% of the vote counted, 54% had voted to end term limits, a National Electoral Council official said.
With 94% of votes counted, 54% backed an end to term limits, a National Electoral Council official said.
Mr Chavez has said he needs to stay in office beyond the end of his second term in 2012 so he can secure what he calls Venezuela's socialist revolution.
Mr Chavez has said he needs to stay in office beyond the end of his second term in 2012 so he can secure what he calls Venezuela's socialist revolution.
Critics say that would concentrate too much power in the presidency.
Critics say that would concentrate too much power in the presidency.
More than 16 million Venezuelans were eligible to take part in the vote, which observers said was free and fair.
"Truth and dignity have triumphed," Mr Chavez was quoted by AFP news agency as saying after the results were announced.
Crowds of the president's supporters filled in the streets, letting off fireworks, waving red flags and honking car horns.
More than 16 million Venezuelans were eligible to take part in the vote, which international observers said was free and fair.
Under existing constitutional rules, the president was limited to two six-year terms in office, which meant that Mr Chavez would have had to leave the presidency in three years' time.
Under existing constitutional rules, the president was limited to two six-year terms in office, which meant that Mr Chavez would have had to leave the presidency in three years' time.
A proposal to end presidential term limits was one of a package of 69 constitutional changes narrowly rejected in a referendum in late 2007.
A proposal to end presidential term limits was one of a package of 69 constitutional changes narrowly rejected in a referendum in late 2007.
What does the referendum result mean for Venezuela? Are you from Venezuela? Do you welcome the outcome? You can send us your views using the form below.
What does the referendum result mean for Venezuela? Are you from Venezuela? Do you welcome the outcome? You can send us your views using the form below.
