CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) – Supporters of President Hugo Chavez celebrated in the streets yesterday even as some polling stations remained open in an election that could give one of the US Government’s fiercest rivals another six years in power.

Chavez backers cruised downtown Caracas in caravans honking horns, shouting “Chavez isn’t going anywhere” and setting off fireworks, as campaign aides cited exit polls pointing to a sweeping victory over challenger Manuel Rosales.

A top Rosales adviser, Teodoro Petkoff, said yesterday evening that the voting process “was carried out in a satisfactory manner.”

He said some irregularities had occurred – including attempts to remove ballots without first permitting an audit – but that most were resolved.

The vote was being monitored by observers including the European Union, the Carter Center and the Organisation of American States.

Since he first won office in 1998, Chavez has increasingly dominated all branches of government and his allies now control congress, state offices and the judiciary. He has called US President George W Bush the devil, allied himself with Iran and influenced elections across the region.

Chavez also has used Venezuela’s oil wealth to his political advantage. He has channeled oil profits toward multibillion-dollar programmes for the poor including subsidised food, free university education and cash benefits for single mothers. He has helped allies from Cuba to Bolivia with oil and petrodollars.

On Sunday, the incumbent waved and blew kisses to cheering supporters as he voted in a Caracas slum.

“I’m absolutely sure that the process is and will be totally transparent,” said Chavez, who arrived in a red Volkswagen Beetle. “Let’s vote, leave calmly and wait for the results.”

Rosales, a cattle rancher and governor of western Zulia state who stepped down temporarily to run against Chavez, has rebuilt the opposition from its referendum defeat. His campaign focused on issues such as rampant crime and corruption.