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Venezuela votes on constitutional amendment ending presidential term limits

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] Venezuelans began voting Sunday on a proposed constitutional amendment that would eliminate presidential term limits in the country. The amendment, which would allow President Hugo Chavez to seek re-election in 2012, was passed by the Venezuelan National Assembly last month, but must pass the referendum before taking effect. A similar amendment was among constitutional reforms rejected by voters  in a 2007 referendum, but a January poll by Datanalisis  showed that a small majority of likely voters now favor the amendment.  Voters in the country have been strongly divided over the measure. Earlier this month, thousands gathered in Caracas to protest the amendment, but supporters submitted a petition signed by almost five million people endorsing the amendment to the National Assembly late last year. Opposition politicians have accused Chavez of using the constitutional reforms to consolidate his power.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on February 15, 2009 (boomark / email).