Venezuela's National Electoral Council (CNE) on Sunday announced the closure of the referendum on controversial constitutional changes proposed by the nation's socialist president, Hugo Chavez.

The CNE's president, Tibisay Lucena, told a press conference that only polling stations where voters are standing in line will remain open. She added that the day's vote had taken place "happily and in peace."

"Venezuela has shown the world that it is a democratic and civic minded nation," she said.

Some 16 million voters were registered for the referendum which ran from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time (1000 to 2000 GMT).

The reforms' most controversial measure is the proposal to extend the presidential term from the current six years to seven, and indefinite reelection. Less controversial measures include reducing the official working day to six hours from eight, ending central bank autonomy, reorganizing regional politics and changing the name of the armed forces.

Lucena also restated the legal ban against domestic and international press from publishing exit polls, saying there would be sanctions for those that did so before the CNE had published its first results.

Lucena also congratulated voters and supporters of both government and opposition for their participation at the polls.

Of the 69 reforms under consideration in the referendum, 33 were proposed by Venezuela's president, Hugo Chavez, and 36 by the nation's legislature, which is dominated by the ruling party.

(Xinhua News Agency December 3, 2007)