2009 Venezuelan constitutional referendum

2009 Venezuelan constitutional referendum

15 February 2009

Do you approve the amendment of articles 160, 162, 174, 192 and 230 of the Constitution of the Republic, processed by the National Assembly, which broadens the political rights of the people, in order to allow any citizen in exercise of a position of popular election, can be subject to nomination as a candidate for the same position, for the time established by the Constitution, depending his possible election, exclusively, on the popular vote?
Results
Choice
Votes %
Yes 6,319,636 54.87%
No 5,198,006 45.13%
Valid votes 11,517,642 98.24%
Invalid or blank votes 206,582 1.76%
Total votes 11,724,224 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 16,767,511 69.92%

Billboards supporting the Yes campaign in Caracas
Students protesting against the referendum in Caracas on 19 January 2009

A constitutional referendum was held in Venezuela on 15 February 2009 for voters to approve or reject Amendment No. 1 of the constitution, which abolished term limits for the offices of president, state governors, mayors and National Assembly deputies.

The constitution, enacted in 1999 by referendum, previously established a three-term limit for deputies and a two-term limit for the other offices. The proposed amendment was endorsed by 54% of the electorate, with approximately 70% of registered voters participating.[1] Upon having his term limits removed, Chávez promised his supporters that he would lead Venezuela until 2030, though he would later die as president in 2013.[2]

  1. ^ "Venezuelan leader wins key reform". BBC News. 16 February 2009. Archived from the original on 21 February 2009. Retrieved 16 February 2009.
  2. ^ Rory, Carroll (2013). Comandante: The Life and Legacy of Hugo Chavez. Canongate Books. pp. 153–155. ISBN 9780857861535.