Venezuela residents await results of congressional election

? Opponents of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez tried to break his long-standing monopoly on power in congressional elections Sunday, and demanded electoral authorities release the results after an hours-long wait that put the country on edge.

More than six hours after the official end of voting, electoral officials were meeting in private early today as Venezuelans anxiously awaited for results to be announced.

“We demand (the electoral council) give the country the results it already knows,” said Ramon Guillermo Aveledo, leader of a coalition of opposition parties.

Voters stood in long lines at polling stations during Sunday’s elections, which stirred strong sentiment on both sides of Venezuela’s deep political divide.