Venezuelans vote on Chavez rule

VENEZUELANS turned out early and in large numbers yesterday to vote in a historic referendum that will either remove left-wing President Hugo Chavez from office or give him a new mandate to govern for the next two years.

Even before polls opened just after 10am Irish time, long lines of hundreds of voters formed outside ballot centres, which were guarded by troops. Some brought chairs, sipped coffee or read newspapers.

“Everyone is voting for the future of our kids and to end all the hatred,” said physiotherapist Mercedes Arrieche as she waited to vote in a wealthy east Caracas neighbourhood.