But the regulations set by the National Electoral Council, which recently rejected an initial opposition petition for a referendum, effectively pushed back any vote on Chavez's presidency into early next year.
National Electoral Council President Francisco Carrasquero said the rules give the five-member board 97 days to verify voter signatures in any new petition and set a poll date if the request is approved.
After more than a year of conflict over Chavez's rule, the Organization of American States put together an accord between the government and opposition that proposed a referendum to end the strife.
A former paratrooper elected in 1998 on promises to erase poverty, Chavez portrays his political enemies as elites bent on halting his reforms for the nation's most needy. Foes say his rule has edged Venezuela toward economic ruin and Cuba-style communism.
Earlier this month the electoral council rejected the original poll petition, which had more than 3 million signatures, as technically flawed. It was a temporary victory for Chavez, who survived a brief coup last year and is fiercely resisting the opposition campaign.
Carrasquero said the council would allow 20 days to prepare signature-collection centers and give the opposition four days to gather the signatures it needs to demand a referendum.
The opposition had planned a second collection of signatures starting Oct. 5 to repeat the referendum request. But it was unclear whether they would go ahead.
Venezuela's constitution requires the signatures of at least 20 percent of registered voters - 2.4 million signatures -- to trigger a referendum.
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Chavez's election board will allow opponents 4 days to gather signatures for a recall and then they'll take 97 days to approve them.
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