Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez speaks
to supporters during the referendum on a constitutional amendment in
Caracas, Venezuela, on Feb. 15, 2009. (Xinhua/Bolivar News
Agency) Photo
Gallery>>>
CARACAS, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Sunday won a constitutional referendum that lifted the limit on presidential terms, allowing him to run anew in the presidential election in 2012.
Tibisay Lucena from the National Electoral Council said late Sunday that, according to preliminary results, 54.36 percent of voters approved the constitutional amendment to remove the term limits and 45.63 percent against it.
Supporters roamed the streets in vehicles and motorcycles in Caracas after the announcement, waving flags and honking horns to celebrate the victory. Fireworks were lit across the city.
Chavez, in his signature red shirt, led the supporters gathering in front of the balcony of his presidential palace singing the national anthem.
"Today we opened wide the gate to the future," he told the supporters, and "truth and dignity have triumphed" in Venezuela.
"Unless God disposes otherwise, unless the people dispose otherwise, this soldier is already a candidate," he claimed.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez waves to supporters during the referendum on a constitutional amendment in Caracas, Venezuela, on Feb. 15, 2009. (Xinhua/Bolivar News Agency) Photo Gallery>>>
Chavez also said former Cuban President Fidel Castro had sent him a message of congratulations on the victory that "is impossible to measure."
"This victory is also yours, Fidel," Chavez said.
During the speech, Chavez vowed to fight crime and corruption, as well as to improve security situation in his remaining four years of presidency.
He then announced a week of celebrations when Venezuelans would be enjoying days off.
The president has been seeking to stay in office to continue his economic and social development programs which he considered have achieved results but have not been completed.
Some opposition leaders said at the campaign headquarters that they would accept the results.
A total of 16,767,511 registered voters cast their votes at the voting centers across the country from 6:00 to 18:00 Sunday local time (1030 to 2230 GMT).
The voting process went smoothly in all the 23 states, said General Jesus Gonzalez, who leads the security movement known as the "Plan Republica," told a press conference.
Gonzalez said several people have been arrested due to felonies against the voting centers.
Chavez was first elected in 1998 and reelected in 2006. He proposed amendments to the constitution to allow him to seek a new term in 2012.
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez casts
his ballot during the referendum on a constitutional amendment in Caracas,
Venezuela, on Feb. 15, 2009. (Xinhua/Bolivar News
Agency) Photo
Gallery>>>
CARACAS, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan constitutional
referendum that will decide on unlimited re-elections for President Hugo Chavez
and other elected officials closed on Sunday.
Tibisay Lucena from the Electoral National Council
(CNE) announced the conclusion at 18:10 p.m. local time (2240 GMT). The official
voting time was 6:00 to 18:00 Sunday. Full story
CARACAS, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Supporters celebrated
President Hugo Chavez's win in the constitutional referendum Sunday night, which
has lifted term limits to allow him to run in 2012 presidential election and
stay in power as long as he keeps winning elections.
Chavez won the referendum with 54 percent of approval
according to preliminary results, Tibisay Lucena, president of the National
Electoral Council, announced late Sunday, hours after the referendum was
officially closed. Full story
Venezuelan citizens get their fingers
daubbed in ink after voting in a referendum on a constitutional amendment
at a polling station in Caracas, Venezuela, on Feb. 15, 2009. The
closely-fought referendum, to be decided by a simple majority, is on
changing the constitution to scrap term limits for mayors and governors as
well as for Chavez, whose current term expires in 2012. (Xinhua/Yin
Nan) Photo
Gallery>>>
CARACAS, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- A constitutional referendum
that will decide on the unlimited re-elections for President Hugo Chavez and
other elected officials began early Sunday in Venezuela.
Nearly 34,000 electoral posts, all automated, were
set up across the country since last Friday for the Sunday voting. Full story
CARACAS, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Venezuelan
government will on Friday close its constitutional amendment campaign aimed at
paving the way for unlimited presidential terms, President Hugo Chavez announced
here Wednesday.
The campaign will end Friday midnight following two
rallies, one on Thursday on Bolivar Avenue in the center of the capital, and the
other Friday at Miraflores Palace, the headquarters of the national government,
local media reported. Full story
CARACAS, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Hugo
Chavez asked opposition leaders Monday to accept the results of the
constitutional referendum to be held on Feb. 15, which could allow him and all
other elected officials unlimited re-elections.
If Chavez loses the referendum, he would
"immediately" recognize the results, said the president.
"I would like to hear the same from the opposition
leaders. Let's recognize the results and continue the march. It is my call and
compromise," Chavez said during a TV interview. Full story
CARACAS, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's
National Assembly Wednesday approved a constitutional amendment that could allow
unlimited re-elections of President Hugo Chavez and all other elected officials,
local media reported. Full story
