Chavez wins referendum

international | politics / elections | news report Monday August 16, 2004 12:18 by venez

Blow to the Venezuelan rich and US imperialism

Left populist President and enemy of US imperialism has won a recall referendum win 59% of the vote according to the Venezuelan electoral authority.

According to the numbers, obtained from a tally count of 94,49% of ballots from automatic voting machines, the opposition failed to obtain more votes that those who wanted Chavez to stay. The "no" option obtained 4,991,483 votes representing 58.95%. The "yes" option obtained 3,576,517 votes, representing 41.74%.

Manual count of votes from rural and low income urban areas where Chavez has widespread support, and where automatic machines were not used, could increase the President's margin of victory.

The turnout was huge and unprecedented. Voting was extended twice, voters waited in line at polling stations for up to 10 hours in some cases.

Opposition leaders have refused to recognise the result and have claimed fraud. It is a possibility that a section of the ruling class may attempt a coup in the coming period. However more far sighted sections of the opposition represented by the 'Carter Center' recognise that now is not an oppurtune time for a coup and are willing to wait.