In an unprecedented turnout, droves of eager voters besieged ballot centers across the world's No. 5 oil exporter and long lines persisted into the evening.

"We have decided to extend the voting period until 12 midnight," senior National Electoral Council official Jorge Rodriguez said.

The latest prolongation followed a previous four-hour extension to cope with the throngs who flooded polling centers, some of them waiting patiently most of the day in the hot sun.

Voting was mostly peaceful but a 28-year-old woman was shot dead and 12 others were injured when an unidentified gunman opened fire on people outside a polling station in a poor east Caracas neighborhood, emergency service officials said.

Early official results were likely early on Monday. Although there was a ban on announcing exit polls, both government and opposition privately circulated figures predicting comfortable victories.

If Chavez loses, a presidential election will be held within 30 days. He says he will stand again, but the Supreme Court must rule on whether the constitution allows this.

Venezuelans were anxious to make their choice to try to end bitter feuding over Chavez' rule that since 1998 has divided Venezuela politically, inflamed social tensions and spooked international oil markets.

Voters used touch-screen voting machines to answer the referendum question of whether they wanted to recall Chavez. The president is reviled by opponents as an inept tyrant and hailed by supporters for his self-styled "revolution" diverting oil wealth to the poor majority.

International observers, including former US President Jimmy Carter, said they were impressed by the massive turnout and organization.

"This shows people want this fight to end. ... It's time to put an end to this government," said Humberto Rojas, a 25-year-old economics student voting in Caracas.

To recall Chavez, the opposition must equal or beat the 3.76 million votes he received when reelected for a six-year term in 2000. If the "No" vote is greater, he stays in office.

Fears Of Violence

The opposition, a coalition of unions, business groups and political parties united mainly by distaste for Chavez, triggered the referendum by obtaining 2.4 million signatures on a petition.

Fears persisted that a disputed outcome, especially if former paratrooper Chavez loses, could trigger violence.

Chavez, who led a failed coup six years before winning 1998 elections, has said he will accept the result but he has also fanned fears of a backlash, saying soldiers and oil workers would not accept a government formed by his enemies.

Chavez dismissed the worries as he voted in west Caracas.

"All those who were saying the dictator Chavez wouldn't agree to a vote. ... Well, here's the proof," he said.

A friend of Cuban leader Fidel Castro, Chavez has accused the United States of backing the opposition. But the Venezuelan leader has been careful to ensure a steady flow of oil exports to the United States.

Energy markets have been worried about disruptions to oil shipments if the referendum provokes a repeat of the turmoil that broke out during a brief 2002 coup against Chavez and a subsequent opposition strike. This could increase oil prices, which have been trading above record levels of US$46 a barrel .

Venezuela has the world's largest oil reserves outside the Middle East.

(China Daily via agencies, August 16, 2004)