Chacao residents collecting signatures to end Altamira protest.

www.vheadline.com Posted: Friday, November 08, 2002 By: VHeadline.com Reporters

Residents of the eastern Caracas suburb of Chacao are hoping to collect around 7,000 signatures that they will then deliver to the National Electoral College (CNE) in two weeks time to call for a vote to see is the suburb's residence approve of the continuing protest in Plaza Altamira by a group of dissident military officers calling for a consultative referendum or President Hugo Chavez Frias' resignation.

Many local residents are complaining about the effects the protest is having on transportation in the area and an appeal has already been made to the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) to order an end to the protest.

Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) rejects President's CNE request.

The Supreme Tribunal of Justice has declined a request by President Hugo Chavez Frias, asking the Court to set aside recently approved legislation, which prevents the board on the National Electoral College (CNE) from being disbanded until a new board has been appointed.

The refusal will now permit the CNE to continue processing the opposition's petition for a consultative referendum, which will be non-binding, on the President's rule. Despite the resignation of CNE president, Roberto Ruiz, earlier this month the CNE is assuring that it will be able to process the petition and decide on its validity within the 30 day timeframe it previously set out.