In Venezuela, polls are showing a tossup heading into Sunday’s referendum on changing the constitution.

President Hugo Chavez is rallying the faithful by portraying the vote as a plebiscite on his nine years in office.

The 69 amendments on the ballot would give him vast new powers to push the oil-rich country toward socialism.

The reforms would remove limits on presidential re-election, give Chavez direct control over foreign currency reserves, expand his power to expropriate private property and allow for media censorship during political emergencies.

Several high-profile defections in his camp, a lackluster “yes” campaign, and a surprisingly strong opposition have produced a tight race just one year after he was re-elected by a landslide.

Hundreds of thousands of protesters marched through the streets of the capital Thursday, shouting slogans urging people to vote “no.”

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