Venezuelans set for Chavez vote

Chavez provokes strong passions on both sides

Venezuelans are set to go to the polls in a referendum on President Hugo Chavez's rule.

The leader who survived a failed coup attempt two years ago predicted that his victory would be "tremendous".

Former US President Jimmy Carter who is in Caracas to oversee the vote said he was fully confident the ballot would be "honest, fair and transparent".

Mr Chavez is popular among many of the country's poor but his opponents say he is a dangerous autocrat.

'Vote wide open'

Both sides say they will respect the result but there are worries over possible violence if it is close.

On Saturday, pro-Chavez militants on motorbikes encircled privately-owned television stations, warning they would attack if announcements of the referendum result were made early.

Do you agree to nullify for the current presidential term the popular mandate conferred through democratic and legitimate elections on Mr Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias as president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela? Referendum question Crunch time for Venezuelans

The US State Department in a travel warning said there was "a potential for violence".

"We all are hoping for an outcome that all sides can accept," said head of the Organisation of American States, Cesar Gaviria, who is in Caracas.

BBC correspondent in Caracas James Menendez says many people still believe the vote to be wide open.

Election monitors from the OAS and the Carter Center will oversee the process.

Controversial figure

Since first coming to power in 1998, Mr Chavez has polarised public opinion in Venezuela.

His opponents accuse Mr Chavez, who is a close ally of Cuban President Fidel Castro, of seeking to establish an authoritarian regime.

But his supporters say he is the first Venezuelan leader in decades to champion the rights of the poor.

OPPOSITION TASK To succeed in Sunday's referendum, the opposition needs: A turnout of at least 25% of Venezuela's 14m eligible voters More than the 3.7m votes Chavez received in the 2000 elections More votes than Chavez's supporters

"I love the president. He is wonderful, he is of the people," said Andrea Graterol, who added that the Chavez administration had set up health clinics in her neighbourhood.

But psychologist Raiza Lourdes, 38, described the vote as a "battle between democrats and communists".

Opposition to Mr Chavez's rule led to a short-lived military coup in April 2002, which the US had been swift to recognise.

But after his supporters took to the streets to demand his return, the president was soon back in office.

International attention will also be on the outcome, given Venezuela's importance as the world's fifth-biggest oil exporter.

Mr Chavez has warned that if he loses the referendum, oil shipments may be interrupted, as the opposition would be sure to privatise the state-run oil company Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) which could provoke strikes.

If Mr Chavez loses, a new election will be held within 30 days and the president has already announced plans to run.

If the "no" vote triumphs, Mr Chavez is set to remain in office to contest the scheduled 2006 presidential election.