Pro-Chavez Petition Drive Claims 8 Million Signatures Despite Voter Apathy And Scant Lines

AP/yahoo.comnews ^ | FABIOLA SANCHEZ

[Cincinatus' Wife]

CARACAS, Venezuela - Despite voter apathy and scant lines at many collection stations Monday, Venezuela's vice president claimed the government gathered nearly 8 million signatures demanding recalls of opposition legislators who are trying to oust President Hugo Chavez.

The government's four-day signature drive came a week before Venezuela's opposition holds its own four-day petition drive to demand a recall vote against Chavez.

The government's recall effort against 37 of the 165 lawmakers is seen as a bid to strengthen Chavez's hold on Congress. To hold a recall referendum against the legislators, the government needs to obtain enough signatures to equal 20 percent of the vote that got each legislator elected.

Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel said the turnout was massive for the drive, which ended Monday. Officials results, however, will not be released for weeks, and opposition lawmakers rejected Rangel's claim.

Venezuela's Constitution allows for recalls halfway through an elected official's term - that was August for Chavez.

Opponents accuse Chavez of attempting to establish a dictatorial regime inspired by Cuba's Fidel Castro, mismanaging the economy and dividing this mostly poor country of 24 million along class lines.

Chavez accuses adversaries of trying to grab power to regain lost privileges rather than to improve living conditions for the poor majority.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

And all under the watchful eye of the Carter Center.

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, center, walks with US based Carter Center representatives Jennifer McCoy, left, and Francisco Diez in the presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, Nov. 24, 2003, on the last day of a petition drive to revoke the mandates of 38 opposition lawmakers meant to boost President Hugo Chavez ahead of an opposition drive to force a vote on his rule. The Carter Center is in Venezuela to observe the petition drive. (AP Photo/Simon Garcia, Miraflores Press)

Hugo Chavez - Venezuela

Now for the recall petition on Chavez coming up the end of this month:*** Venezuela's Chavez warns supporters of referendum their names will be remembered."They should know that although they are not going to get (a referendum), their names will be recorded. Unlike in a vote, which is secret, they will sign. They will put their names and surnames, their national ID number and their fingerprint," he said. ***

[samtheman]

"Your names will be remembered."

A statement like that makes this insect fair game for a covert operation, in my opinion.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

No comment from the Jimmy Carter Center on that statement, a direct attempt to intimidate opposition voters, yet they're all smiles with Chavez and his inflated numbers to recall his oppostion.

[risk]

bttt for no surprise there!

No comment from the Jimmy Carter Center on that statement... [that Chavez will be taking names]

[samtheman]

Jimmy Carter never saw a dictator he didn't like.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Just like Christopher Dodd.

[livius]

Make that "adoring" eye.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

No kidding!