Venezuela's National Electoral Council (CNE) on Sunday announced
the closure of the referendum on controversial constitutional
changes proposed by the nation's socialist president, Hugo
Chavez.
The CNE's president, Tibisay Lucena, told a press conference
that only polling stations where voters are standing in line will
remain open. She added that the day's vote had taken place "happily
and in peace."
"Venezuela has shown the world that it is a democratic and civic
minded nation," she said.
Some 16 million voters were registered for the referendum which
ran from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time (1000 to 2000 GMT).
The reforms' most controversial measure is the proposal to
extend the presidential term from the current six years to seven,
and indefinite reelection. Less controversial measures include
reducing the official working day to six hours from eight, ending
central bank autonomy, reorganizing regional politics and changing
the name of the armed forces.
Lucena also restated the legal ban against domestic and
international press from publishing exit polls, saying there would
be sanctions for those that did so before the CNE had published its
first results.
Lucena also congratulated voters and supporters of both
government and opposition for their participation at the polls.
Of the 69 reforms under consideration in the referendum, 33 were
proposed by Venezuela's president, Hugo Chavez, and 36 by the
nation's legislature, which is dominated by the ruling party.
(Xinhua News Agency December 3, 2007)
