World Report
Venezuela to hold referendum on President Chavez resignation
Venezuela
President,
Hugo Chavez
CARACAS (AFP) - Venezuela's National Electoral Council on Thursday called for a referendum on February 2 to ask the nation if it wants President Hugo Chavez to resign, NEC head Alfredo Avella said.
The referendum was formally requested by the opposition, which is looking to remove Chavez from power, and came amid growing tension in the capital.
"The council has decided to approve the resolution calling for a referendum of February 2," Avella told Union Radio, adding that the opposition had gathered the requisite number of signatures for the plebiscite.
As a consultative referendum, the results of the poll would not be binding, but would be considered a vote of confidence in the embattled president.
Chavez's government has rejected the proposal as illegal, saying that according to the constitution any decisive referendum could only be held halfway through the presidential term, in August 2003.