Marathon vote ends in Venezuela

People had to queue for hours to vote

Polling stations are finally closing in Venezuela after huge numbers turned out in a controversial referendum on President Hugo Chavez's rule.

There were reports of isolated violence, including at least one death, but correspondents say in general voting was good-natured and peaceful.

The president's opponents called the referendum, accusing him of dictatorial behaviour and economic mismanagement.

But his supporters say he is the first leader to care about Venezuela's poor.

If a majority wish to recall the president, fresh elections must be called within 30 days.

Long wait

Voting was initially extended until 2000 (0000 GMT), but people were then allowed to vote until midnight (0400 GMT Monday) - eight hours later than originally planned - or even after that if voters were already in a queue.

"This is the largest turnout I have ever seen," said former US President Jimmy Carter, who is in Venezuela to monitor the process.

Do you agree to nullify 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 In pictures: Venezuela votes

"There are thousands of people in line, waiting patiently and without any disturbance."

In a poor Caracas neighbourhood, a woman was killed and a dozen injured in a shooting incident outside a polling station. El Nacional newspaper also reported two other deaths.

But the BBC's James Menendez in Caracas says the day passed as peacefully as anyone could have hoped. Some people waited patiently all day to vote.

Some of the delays in voting were also put down to failures by electronic thumbprint identification machines supposed to prevent people from voting twice.

Result concern

Activists on both sides set off huge firecrackers and played recorded bugle songs to wake people before dawn and get them to the polling stations early.

Lines stretching for 2km (1.25 miles) formed in the capital, Caracas, as each voter was asked to deposit an electronic thumbprint to verify their identity and prevent people voting twice.

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

Voters are being asked to answer "Yes" or "No" to the question whether President Chavez should be recalled from office. His current term runs until 2006.

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

The outcome is difficult to predict. Opinion polls before the vote gave contradictory indications and commentators are also divided.

Government ministers and opposition leaders have both predicted big margins of victory.

Election monitors from the Organization of American States and the Carter Center are overseeing the process and were said to be meeting in the early hours of Monday morning.

"It is a true democratic fiesta," Mr Chavez told state-run television. "It is a battle that resounds worldwide."

Oil importance

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

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

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

International attention will be on the outcome, given Venezuela's importance as one of the world's biggest oil exporters.