Chavez rallies backers before Venezuela referendum

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

Chavez rallies backers before Venezuela referendum
Fri Nov 30, 2007 11:37pm GMT

By Brian Ellsworth

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Friday rallied supporters before a weekend referendum on overhauling the oil-producing country's constitution that would expand his powers.

Polls show a technical tie between the "Yes" and "No" votes on the constitutional overhaul that would let Chavez run for re-election indefinitely.
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Emerging market investors are nervously awaiting the results, with Venezuelan bond prices slumping over the last month on concerns over possible political turbulence if the vote is close.

Opposition leaders have pledged to stage protests if the Chavez-controlled electoral authority tampers with the vote, while government leaders say the opposition is preparing to cry fraud and launch violent demonstrations if the reform passes.





Read more: http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKN3033336820071130?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0

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~~~~ click for photo ~~~~

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (L) waves to supporters as he arrives at a rally in Caracas November 30, 2007.
President Hugo Chavez needs to rely on a vast get-out-the-vote machine to avoid an unprecedented defeat when
Venezuelans cast ballots on Sunday in a referendum on letting him run for re-election indefinitely.

REUTERS/Daniel Aguilar