Venezuela expelled European Parliament deputy Luis Herrero late Friday after he called President Hugo Chavez a "dictator" and critized the electoral council ahead of a vote which could permit Chavez unlimited bids to stay in power.

"In line with instructions from the electoral power and guaranteeing the customary respect of human rights, European deputy Luis Herrero has been invited to leave the country," said a statement from the foreign ministry.

The Spanish Popular Party politician was on a commercial flight to the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo at 11.00pm Friday, according to a ministry source.

Herrero earlier called on Venezuelans to vote freely, in comments to journalists.

"They should never be carried away when they vote by the fear that a dictator tries to impose in a premeditated way," Herrero said.

A local opposition party had invited the European lawmaker to Venezuela to observe Sunday's referendum on a change to the constitution which would allow unlimited term limits for elected officials.

The president of Venezuela's electoral council, Tibisay Lucena, said that Herrero had disturbed the "peace and harmony" that had so far marked the referendum campaign.

AFP