"Although no official results had been announced as of early Sunday night, supporters of the president took to the streets in joyful “victory†caravans while some opponents claimed a win and others said privately that they had lost the hotly contested national plebiscite on amending 69 articles of Venezuela’s Constitution.
A victory would give Chavez near-absolute political power in Venezuela and allow him to continue nationalizing privately-owned companies, giving money to the poor, aiding political allies in Latin America, strengthening his alliance with Communist Cuba and sharpening his conflict with Washington — even though his country is the fourth-biggest supplier of oil to the United States.
Chavez and his political allies already control Venezuela’s Congress, the Supreme Court, the judicial system and 20 out of 22 governorships.
After the polls closed it appeared that perhaps only half of the registered voters had turned out for the referendum. Many Chavez opponents had called on voters to stay home to avoid legitimizing a result that they believed was preordained.
The low turnout left opposition leaders shaking their heads."
1. Surely Chavez aren't going to let a few votes stand in his way to absolute power. 2. Note the opposition voters staying home -- it's just something to think about for our election in 2008. Hillary and Hugo Chavez are solemates.
The low turnout is not correct. Turnout was high. I’m going hunting for more news.
Anyone with links, please post them.