November
1, 2004
President Chávez
scores victory in regional ballot
(Reuters) - "Venezuela's President
Hugo Chávez consolidated political
power on October 31 by sweeping to victory
in regional elections two months after
winning a referendum, according to preliminary
results.
The
National Electoral Council director
Jorge Rodríguez said partial
results showed supporters of the former
army officer had captured at least five
more states and the greater Caracas
mayor's post from opponents (…)
Still
bruised by their referendum defeat,
opposition parties battled voter apathy
and splits among their candidates as
they competed for more than 600 governorships,
state council seats and municipal offices
in the world's No. 5 oil exporter (…)
The
August referendum came after three years
of political conflict between Chávez
and foes, including a coup, a brief
oil strike and violent street protests.
The referendum was endorsed by international
observers who rejected opposition charges
of massive vote tampering (…)
A pro-government candidate also won
the key greater Caracas mayor's office
while the opposition kept its district
mayoral offices in the wealthier parts
of the capital.
Scores of opposition candidates
boycotted the regional election in protest
and in some races several rival opposition
figures faced off against a single pro-Chávez
candidate (…) ".
