MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chavez wins Venezuela referendum.

President Hugo Chavez survived a popular referendum to oust him, according to results Monday, while Venezuela's opposition swiftly claimed fraud.

But Henry Ramos, the opposition leader, said he could not support the result and accused the government of a "gigantic fraud".

Shortly before the result was announced, two opposition members of the five-member electoral council said proper procedural checks had not been carried out.

With 94 per cent of the votes votes counted, 58.25 per cent of the electorate voted for Mr Chavez to remain in office and 41.74 per cent voted for his mandate to be revoked, Francisco Carrasquero, president of the National Electoral Council, said.

Preliminary results

For President Chavez: 58.25% - (4,991.483 votes) Against President Chavez: 41.74 ? (3.576,517 votes)

Source: Agencies