Millions of Venezuelans voted in local polls set to determine President Hugo Chavez's next moves, as falling oil prices threatened financing for his socialist revolution.

Chavez's supporters and opponents were both expected to claim victory after Sunday's polls for governors and mayors seen as a key test for the anti-US leader and his drive for nationalisation and social projects.

Almost 17 million were eligible to vote and lines snaked around polling stations several hours after they officially closed at 4.25 pm (2055 GMT), sparking opposition criticism.

First estimates from media and analysts suggested a record turnout for local elections of around 60 percent.

Pre-election surveys suggested the populist president's Socialist Party would hold most states and cities, but might lose some posts due to protest votes against escalating corruption, inefficiency and crime.

Chavez, in power for almost 10 years, has crossed the oil-rich South American country campaigning for his party's candidates, one year after his defeat in a referendum on extending his authority.

'I'm a fighter'

"We have always recognised our failures, like the one a year ago, but we keep fighting. I'm a fighter. I learned to know how to win and how to lose, and to keep fighting all my life," Chavez said after casting his vote.

Opposition groups joined together to increase their chances for victory, running single candidates in a majority of 22 gubernatorial races and 328 mayoral races.

The opposition currently controls two states — northwestern Zulia and northeastern Nueva Esparta — and another five are in the hands of Chavez dissidents.

Pre-poll surveys suggested the opposition could win between five and seven governorships in their bid to gain back lost power.

Opposition gains in key areas of the Opec country would shake Chavez's bid to extend his "21st century socialism."

Chavez, a friend to Iran, Russia and Cuba's Fidel Castro, has signaled he still seeks a mandate to push for support to abolish term limits to try to win a third six-year term in 2012.

The 54-year-old led a failed military coup in 1992 and was briefly overthrown for two days in April, 2002.

Threats of violence

Famous for his fiery language, Chavez has threatened to imprison opponents, or even send tanks onto the streets if his party loses in the populous northwestern state of Carabobo.

Some 140 000 soldiers policed the polls on Sunday.

Around 300 candidates, mainly from the opposition, were prevented from running in the elections due to corruption allegations.

Chavez — who owes much support to the poor he has helped with oil-funded social programmes — vowed on Sunday to press ahead with his policies despite tumbling oil prices.

"Nothing will stop ... the building of Venezuela's socialist project," Chavez said. Venezuelan crude prices fell this week to 40.68 dollars per barrel, after floating above $120 in the middle of the year.

In the capital's vast Petare slum, Maria Teresa Padron (80) voted for a municipal candidate from Chavez's party to show her support for the president.

"God sent us Chavez. No one will give us the well-being this president offers us. No one took us into account before, but thanks to him, I live well now," Padron said.

Another resident, Cesar Alberto, chose an opposition candidate to protest against the current mayor.

"The president came to support his candidates but not to see the problems here. There's rubbish, violence and a lack of water," he said, pointing to piles of trash.

AFP