Chavez named as referendum winner

President Hugo Chavez has won a referendum on his rule, electoral authorities in Venezuela say. Officials from the National Electoral Council said that, with 94% of ballots counted, Mr Chavez had 58% of the vote. It now appears clear that an opposition attempt to force him from office has failed, as have previous attempts, the BBC's James Menendez in Caracas says. But opposition members on the electoral body rejected the partial result as a fraud, claiming their side had won. There have been passionate scenes outside Miraflores presidential palace, where Mr Chavez has been singing to his cheering supporters. Fireworks have been set off across the capital, Caracas. [more ]