High Turnout
in Venezuela Referendum
Caracas - The National Electoral Council (CNE) on Sunday reported a
high turnout at polling stations throughout Venezuela, where voters
are deciding whether to allow President Hugo Chavez and other
officials endless reelection.
Polling stations will close at 18:00 local time provided there are
no waiting lines outside, CNE official Germán Yépez reminded. He
said vote was progressing normally.
By 08:00 local time, almost 80 percent of the over 11,000 polling
stations established were opened, Yepez said. According to the CNE
official, all observers, both from the government and the
opposition, were given credentials.
National Electoral Board director Humberto Castillo said there was a
very high percentage of established polling stations compared with
the Nov. 23 ballot.
By 08:00 we already have 70 percent of established polling stations
opened. Last November, this percentage was achieved after 09:00, he
said.
A "yes" vote in the referendum would allow President Chavez,
governors, mayors, MPs and other elected officials to seek endless
reelection. Chavez´ current term ends in 2012.
About 17 million Venezuelans have been registered to cast their
ballot in Sunday referendum. |
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