Polls: Venezuelans split on term limits

CARACAS, Venezuela, Feb. 15 (UPI) -- Venezuelans are closely divided on whether term limits should be eliminated, allowing President Hugo Chavez to run for office indefinitely, polls indicate.

Voters in the South American country were set to go the polls Sunday in a referendum to change the constitution to drop term limits, which would enabling Chavez to run for a third consecutive six-year term in 2012. Independent opinion polls indicated the "Yes" campaign, which favors abolishing term limits, held a slight lead, although many Venezuelans were still undecided, German broadcaster Deutsche Welle reported.

Observers say the referendum, which would apply to every elected Venezuelan official, is being seen as a key test of the president's strength. Voters narrowly rejected a similar referendum in 2007, and the National Assembly last month voted to allow another such ballot question after Chavez called for it late last year.

His call came after candidates he supported won a majority of the seats in local elections, CNN said.

Officials said the results were expected to be announced late Sunday.