Chavez lost referendum

Majority of Venezuelans voted against constitutional reforms of president Hugo Chavez, enlarging presidential powers. As the National Electoral Council says after counting 90% of the votes, 50.7% of Venezuela citizens voted against the amendments to the Venezuelan Constitution.

On Sunday, 2 December, Venezuela had a referendum on the amendments to the constitution suggested by president Hugo Chavez. President Chavez’s critics blame him of power usurpation, while his supporters say the reforms will help to strengthen the democracy in Venezuela.

49.29% of the voters were in favour of the suggested by Chavez amendments, including, in particular, allowing the indefinite re-election of the president. All in all, the president offered 33 changes to the Constitution.

In particular it was offered that president would control the Central Bank. It was also planned to create new provinces subjecting to the center, and to abridge power of local governments.

Chavez suggested also to reduce a working day to 6 hours and allow to vote since 16 years instead of 18 years before.

As the head of the National Election Council Tibisay Lucena said, 16 million of people participated in the referendum. The national referendum was peaceful, no serious violations were noted, RIA Novosti reports.

More than 145.000 soldiers keep the peace at 33.000 polling places.