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Yes, 49-51. Though not all ballots have been counted at this hour, the result seems set. The earlier posts were premature, and can only have been based on assumption from early returns that showed the proposals leading with 53-54 percent of the vote. As usual, the numbers from datanalysis were on target. They had seen it as too close to call over the past several days.
And Chavez has of course reacted in typical dictatorial fashion...
"This was a photo finish," Chavez told reporters at the presidential palace, adding that unlike past Venezuelan governments, his respects the people's will. "Don't feel sad," Chavez urged supporters, especially given the "microscopic differences" between the "yes" and "no" options. "To those who voted against my proposal, I thank them and congratulate them," Chavez said. "I ask all of you to go home. Know how to handle your victory. You won it. I wouldn't have wanted that Pyrrhic victory." Echoing words he spoke when as an army officer, he was captured and jailed for leading a failed 1992 coup, he added: "For now, we couldn't."
Turnout is being reported at about 56%, a lowish number that likely reflects some considerable numbers of Chavez supporters who didn't like the proposals and just stayed home rather than vote against his recommendations. The result puts the brakes on what were rather ambitous plans for rolling out the Socialism of the 21st Century. Chavez will have to work harder and take his steps more slowly. How the opposition will react is harder to guage. With them, unfortunately, anything is possible...
Well Chavez won. I don't know that he really did though. He ran the elections, he could do whatever he wanted. There were mass demostrations against him in the lead up to this election. But do you expect someone who has shutdown the free media in Venezuela to run a fair and clean election?
Hmmm, Some one told me the election took place on Saturday, and he won. Guess I was wrong.
I'm going to close this since the election is now over, and a new thread has been started concerning sentiments of the outcome.
Thread closed.
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