"If we have a clear trend, we'll give the results in two hours, three hours at the latest," CNE President Francisco Carrasquero told reporters after meeting with ambassadors and international observers in this country.

The voting will take place from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., local time, on Aug. 15. Some 14 million Venezuelans are expected to vote on President Hugo Chavez's rule.

The decision follows accusations by the CNE that the opposition is plotting to create "unrest" during the referendum to overthrow Chavez.

Enrique Mendoza, one of the leaders of the opposition coalition Democratic Coordination, said on Sunday that the opposition could release the vote results four hours before the voting stations close.

The Organization of American States (OAS), which will act as an observer in the referendum, Tuesday also criticized the announcement by the opposition.

"Nothing could be released at two o'clock because the voting has not ended yet. What could be disclosed are the results of polls, but that also poses a risk," the OAS said.

The CNE leader said he hoped the referendum would "take place in peace and harmony" as it is a "democratic act."

He also said the "finger-print hunting" machines, which will be used to prevent a single individual from voting in different places, are in "phenomenal" conditions.

Using the machines is to prevent the recurrence of the situation which happened in the collection of signatures to trigger the recall referendum, said the CNE.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Tuesday called on the government and the opposition to resolve all issues related to the referendum through consultations.

Annan reminded the government and all other political sectors in Venezuela of the commitment they made last month to his special advisor on Latin American affairs, Diego Corgovez, to settle all recall-related problems through dialogue.

"The secretary-general remains convinced that only thus will Venezuelans ensure a successful outcome of the referendum and prevent further polarization of their society," UN spokesman Fred Eckhard said.

Under the Venezuelan Constitution, in order to oust Chavez, the opposition has to collect a number of votes equal to or more than that obtained by the president in the 2000 election, which is at least 3.7 million votes.

Chavez, who was elected in 1998 and reelected to a six-year term in 2000, has experienced two general strikes, a 48-hour military coup in April 2002 and a strike at the beginning of last year.

If the opposition succeeds, a new election would be held within30 days and the winner would serve out Chavez's term, which ends in January 2007.

 

Annan calls on Venezuelan govn't, opposition to resolve disputes through dialogue
As Venezuela prepared to hold a recall referendum on President Hugo Chavez on Sunday, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Tuesday called on the Venezuelan government and the opposition to remain committed to resolving all issues through consultations and dialogue.

Annan "reiterates the commitment of the United Nations to continue supporting Venezuelans in their search for a constitutional, democratic solution to their political differences," said a statement issued by UN spokesman Fred Eckhard.

It recalled that when Annan's special adviser on Latin American issues, Diego Cordovez, visited Venezuela last month, all sides committed themselves to resolving issues relating to and deriving from the referendum through consultations and dialogue.

"The secretary-general remains convinced that only thus will Venezuelans ensure a successful outcome of the referendum and prevent further polarization of their society," the statement added.

Annan also welcomed the role played by international observers, particularly the Organization of American States (OAS) and the US Carter Center in observing the vote.

Venezuela gives oil reassurances
The Venezuelan government says it will guarantee oil exports and prevent violence regardless of who wins next Sunday's vote on President Hugo Chavez.
Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel told a meeting of foreign diplomats that more than 100,000 troops would be deployed during and after the vote.

With just five days left before the polls, there is a growing sense of nervousness about what might follow.

If Mr Chavaez fails to get a majority, he will be forced to step down.

That is likely to provoke a sharp reaction from his supporters who revere him as a hero of the poor.

If his opponents lose, that, too, could bring people out onto the streets.

They accuse Mr Chavez of being a dictator who has ruined the economy of this oil-rich country.

The opposition have been trying to get rid of Mr Chavez for more than two years, first in a failed coup, and then last year by organising a two-month long national strike.

That shut down Venezuela's oil industry and caused turmoil on international markets.

With prices already sky high, any disruption now could have a similar effect.

On Sunday President Chavez warned the United States that he would cut off supplies if they tried to intervene after the referendum. Venezuela is the fourth largest supplier of oil to the US.

Although high prices mean a windfall for Mr Chavez, the vice president's comments seem to be an attempt to reassure investors that it is business as usual, at least for now.