Chavez seeks re-election chance in Venezuela vote

Chavez, who took office 10 years ago and wants to stay on at least another decade, holds a slim lead in polls but many Venezuelans remain undecided, meaning the vote will hinge on which camp better activates its get-out-the-vote machinery.

If he loses in what is his second attempt to scrap term limits with a referendum, Chavez would have to leave office in 2013 or find another way to change the rules so he can stand again.

Spearheaded by a popular but inexperienced student movement, the fragmented opposition's campaign slogan is "No is No," referring to Chavez's failed effort in 2007 to rewrite the constitution so he could extend his rule in the OPEC nation.

Confident of victory this time, Chavez said on Saturday a win would reinforce his mandate to create a socialist state and challenge U.S. influence in Latin America.

"This will strengthen my faith in what we are doing," the 54-year-old president said.