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| Chavez tested in Venezuelan polls | |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Venezuelans are voting in local elections to choose new state governors and over 300 mayors across the country. | |
| The polls are being seen as a critical test for President Hugo Chavez, whose allies won in all but two of the country's 23 states in 2004. | The polls are being seen as a critical test for President Hugo Chavez, whose allies won in all but two of the country's 23 states in 2004. |
| Such a margin of victory is unlikely this time, correspondents say. | Such a margin of victory is unlikely this time, correspondents say. |
| Last year Mr Chavez suffered his first electoral defeat in almost ten years, losing a referendum that would have let presidents seek indefinite re-election. | Last year Mr Chavez suffered his first electoral defeat in almost ten years, losing a referendum that would have let presidents seek indefinite re-election. |
| The opposition is looking to build on that victory. | The opposition is looking to build on that victory. |
| Mr Chavez enjoys popular support for spending oil wealth on schools, clinics and subsidised food, but needs a resounding win to silence his critics, says the BBC's Will Grant in Caracas. | Mr Chavez enjoys popular support for spending oil wealth on schools, clinics and subsidised food, but needs a resounding win to silence his critics, says the BBC's Will Grant in Caracas. |
| His government's failure to control crime and inflation are voters' main concerns. | His government's failure to control crime and inflation are voters' main concerns. |
| The gloomy outlook for the price of oil - which makes up more than 50% of the government's income - is also causing concern, while the country has one of the world's highest murder rates and the continent's worst inflation. | The gloomy outlook for the price of oil - which makes up more than 50% of the government's income - is also causing concern, while the country has one of the world's highest murder rates and the continent's worst inflation. |
| Polls show Mr Chavez's United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) will likely hold most states and cities, but may lose some posts as voters also express concern over corruption and inefficiency. | Polls show Mr Chavez's United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) will likely hold most states and cities, but may lose some posts as voters also express concern over corruption and inefficiency. |
| 'Punch in the stomach' | 'Punch in the stomach' |
| Votes are being held in 22 states. Analysts on both sides of the political divide say that there are a number of swing states where opposition candidates or so-called left-wing "dissidents", opposed to Mr Chavez, may win. | Votes are being held in 22 states. Analysts on both sides of the political divide say that there are a number of swing states where opposition candidates or so-called left-wing "dissidents", opposed to Mr Chavez, may win. |
| KEY ELECTION BATTLEGROUNDS Caracas: Chavez supporter Aristobulo Isturiz against anti-Chavez politician Antonio LedezmaZulia state: currently governed by Chavez rival Manuel RosalesMiranda state: current governor Chavez aide Diosdado Cabello up for re-electionBarinas state: President Chavez's home state. His father, the current governor, is stepping down. His brother Adan standing for the governorship but faces tough election battle Local elections test Chavez support | KEY ELECTION BATTLEGROUNDS Caracas: Chavez supporter Aristobulo Isturiz against anti-Chavez politician Antonio LedezmaZulia state: currently governed by Chavez rival Manuel RosalesMiranda state: current governor Chavez aide Diosdado Cabello up for re-electionBarinas state: President Chavez's home state. His father, the current governor, is stepping down. His brother Adan standing for the governorship but faces tough election battle Local elections test Chavez support |
| Among them are the oil-rich state of Zulia, on the border with Colombia, and the states of Carabobo and Sucre. | Among them are the oil-rich state of Zulia, on the border with Colombia, and the states of Carabobo and Sucre. |
| Even the president's home state of Barinas - where his brother is the socialist candidate - is in doubt, prompting Mr Chavez to remark that losing in Barinas would be like a "punch in the stomach". | Even the president's home state of Barinas - where his brother is the socialist candidate - is in doubt, prompting Mr Chavez to remark that losing in Barinas would be like a "punch in the stomach". |
| Many people will also be watching the tight battle for the powerful position of Mayor of Caracas. | Many people will also be watching the tight battle for the powerful position of Mayor of Caracas. |
| President Chavez has told voters that a win for what he calls "his candidates" is vital for the future of his popular social spending programmes. | President Chavez has told voters that a win for what he calls "his candidates" is vital for the future of his popular social spending programmes. |
| The opposition have tried to counter this by stressing that the vote is not about national projects but local municipalities, in particular the growing problem of civil insecurity and crime. | The opposition have tried to counter this by stressing that the vote is not about national projects but local municipalities, in particular the growing problem of civil insecurity and crime. |
| Mr Chavez, 54, has crossed the country campaigning for his party's candidates. | Mr Chavez, 54, has crossed the country campaigning for his party's candidates. |
| Famous for his fiery language, he has threatened to imprison opponents, or even send tanks onto the streets if his party loses. | Famous for his fiery language, he has threatened to imprison opponents, or even send tanks onto the streets if his party loses. |
| Around 17 million Venezuelans are eligible to vote for 22 governors, 328 mayors and 233 heads of regional councils for four-year terms. | Around 17 million Venezuelans are eligible to vote for 22 governors, 328 mayors and 233 heads of regional councils for four-year terms. |