RSSNewsletterSiteMapFeedback

Home · Weather · Forum · Learning Chinese · Jobs · Shopping
Search This Site
China | International | Business | Government | Environment | Olympics/Sports | Travel/Living in China | Culture/Entertainment | Books & Magazines | Health
Home / International / International -- News Tools: Save | Print | E-mail | Most Read
Venezuela's constitutional referendum closes
Adjust font size:

Venezuela's National Electoral Council (CNE) on Sunday announced the closure of the referendum on controversial constitutional changes proposed by the nation's socialist president, Hugo Chavez.

 

The CNE's president, Tibisay Lucena, told a press conference that only polling stations where voters are standing in line will remain open. She added that the day's vote had taken place "happily and in peace."

 

"Venezuela has shown the world that it is a democratic and civic minded nation," she said.

 

Some 16 million voters were registered for the referendum which ran from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time (1000 to 2000 GMT).

 

The reforms' most controversial measure is the proposal to extend the presidential term from the current six years to seven, and indefinite reelection. Less controversial measures include reducing the official working day to six hours from eight, ending central bank autonomy, reorganizing regional politics and changing the name of the armed forces.

 

Lucena also restated the legal ban against domestic and international press from publishing exit polls, saying there would be sanctions for those that did so before the CNE had published its first results.

 

Lucena also congratulated voters and supporters of both government and opposition for their participation at the polls.

 

Of the 69 reforms under consideration in the referendum, 33 were proposed by Venezuela's president, Hugo Chavez, and 36 by the nation's legislature, which is dominated by the ruling party.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 3, 2007)

Tools: Save | Print | E-mail | Most Read
Comment
Username   Password   Anonymous
 


China Archives
Related >>
- Chavez says putting ties with Colombia 'in freezer'
- Iran, Venezuela sign 4 cooperation agreements
- Castro speaks live for 1st time since July 2006
- Chavez's Five-Nation Tour Receives Warm Welcome
Most Viewed >>
-Chinese compatriots withdraw from Chad
-Gabon's Jean Ping elected as AU Commission chief
-FM: Taiwan, Nansha Islands all Chinese territory
-Baghdad market blasts kill 72
-World Bank chief to assess floods in Zambia
> Korean Nuclear Talks
> Reconstruction of Iraq
> Middle East Peace Process
> Iran Nuclear Issue
> 6th SCO Summit Meeting
Links
- China Development Gateway
- Foreign Ministry
- Network of East Asian Think-Tanks
- China-EU Association
- China-Africa Business Council
- China Foreign Affairs University
- University of International Relations
- Institute of World Economics & Politics
- Institute of Russian, East European & Central Asian Studies
- Institute of West Asian & African Studies
- Institute of Latin American Studies
- Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies
- Institute of Japanese Studies
SiteMap | About Us | RSS | Newsletter | Feedback

Copyright © China.org.cn. All Rights Reserved E-mail: webmaster@china.org.cn Tel: 86-10-88828000 京ICP证 040089号