7-12-05,8:00am

Caracas, Jul 11 (Prensa Latina) The forces supporting Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez are closing ranks Monday to face a traditional abstention that could question an announced triumph in next month´s local elections.

In his habitual radio program Sunday, Chavez encouraged his followers to change the historic poor participation in the elections of mayors and members of church boards, and campaign the importance of local power bodies.

In the elections, scheduled for August 7, the ruling party is expected to win 75 percent of the 5,600 posts for mayors and members of church boards, with 35,000 candidates running. Regarding this, opposition sectors are trying to diminish the voting authenticity by accusing the National Election Council of partiality, and supporting a historic abstention.

According to observers and President Chavez himself, calmness among the ruling forces has favored the opposition tactic, probably due to excessive confidence.

The ruling MVR (5th Republic Movement), created by Chavez, and allied parties have still not put into practice mobilizing mechanisms created in previous polling trials.

Difficulties aside, it is hardly questioned that pro-Chavez forces will achieve a solid victory. But a marked abstention could be used by the opposition to try to make the victory illegal, and support US hostile actions.







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