Venezuela: “NO” exceeded “SI”
December 3, 2007
The result was as follows: 55.1% of voters have taken part in the referendum, out of which 50.7% voted for «NO» and 49.29% - for «SI».
President of Venezuela Hugo Chavez failed to gain support of citizens of the country on constitutional amendments. The most disputable one was removal of limits of presidential terms.
Speaking on TV in early hours Chavez admitted the victory of the opposition. «We were unable to do it this time, but our propositions remain in force», the president added, while speaking about changes of constitution. He said that the work on construction of socialism of the XXI century would continue within the provisions of Constitution of 1999.
Slight advantage of 1.4% was gained by the opposition due the fact that for the first time all its branches united in an appeal «Everybody to elections!», «no boycotts». On the day of elections the leaflets saying «Refusal to vote gives away the victory!» were spread in the opposition areas. Even after completion of the official working hours of the election centers, representatives of the opposition remembering the promise of the Central election council that polling stations would work until all present voted, kept on going around the streets and calling people to go to referendum! So some of the polling stations closed down later and it also delayed counting of votes.
The Venezuelans, but for a minor exception, are quite happy with the present life. On Sunday they decorated fur-trees and their balconies. The people are preparing for Christmas.