Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez appeared headed for victory on Sunday in a referendum on allowing him to remain in power as long as he keeps winning elections, two government-linked sources said, citing exit polls.Three exit polls showed Chavez won by between six and eight points in a vote where turnout was low, they said. If confirmed, it would be by far the slimmest victory margin in the career of a man who wants to rule for life. Most pre-vote opinion surveys predicted a close referendum on the raft of constitutional changes that the opposition and even some longtime former allies say is authoritarian. But pollsters said a low turnout would favor Chavez, who activated a state-backed get-out-the-vote campaign against an underfunded, fragmented opposition.
If the referendum is approved, Chavez would be able to stay in power as long as he keeps winning elections, control foreign currency reserves, appoint loyalists over regional elected officials and censor the media if he declares an emergency. Chavez, who has never lost a national vote, had predicted he would win by at least 10 points.