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'Recall election in Venezuela'

2003-08-21 10:50

Caracas - Venezuela's broad opposition front on Wednesday filed petitions with 3.2 million signatures seeking a recall referendum on President Hugo Chavez, who has reached the midpoint of his term.

The signature lists were taken secretly to the National Electoral Council very early in the morning to avoid clashes with supporters of Chavez, a former paratrooper who has faced a rocky three years in office.

"The country is living through its most prolonged and delicate crisis in history," said opposition lawmaker Alejandro Armas, one of the 20 opposition leaders who handed in the petition.

"The people are clamouring for a peaceful solution. The recall referendum is the way to that solution that was accepted by the government and the opposition in the accords signed in May," he said.

Hundreds of thousands of people protested against Chavez in the streets of Caracas on Wednesday. The opposition group "Coordinadora Democratica" said more than 500 000 people took part in the march.

Media reports said the march was the largest anti-Chavez demonstration since the end of a general strike in February. Thousands of government supporters also demonstrated. Both demonstrations were peaceful.

A recall provision for elected officials was included in the Venezuelan constitution by Congress under Chavez. It took effect once Chavez reached the halfway mark in his six-year term, which occurred Tuesday. The opposition celebrated at midnight on Tuesday with fireworks and music in Caracas.

Of the 3.2 million signatures, non-governmental organization Sumate has verified 2.7 million. The poll needs to be backed by 2.4 million valid signatures.

The electoral board has to review the lists. Chavez supporters have said they will demand "each and every" signature be checked.

Chavez survived a botched military-civilian coup in April 2002 as well as four general strikes led by the opposition in late 2002 and early 2003.

The president, who himself staged a failed coup years ago as a military officer and served two years in prison, has stirred up anger among conservatives in the country because of his leftist policies and autocratic ruling style. He retains a large base of support among the poor in Venezuela's highly stratified society. - Sapa-DPA

- SAPA

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