The National Electoral Council has announced that Hugo Chavez’s gubernatorial candidates have a lead in 17 of the country’s 22 states even as his party is poised to lose the mayoralty of Venezuela’s capital, Caracas. A total of 65% of Venezuela’s eligible voting population made it out to the polls during a time marked by 40% inflation, high crime, food scarcities and plummeting oil prices.

Last year, Chavez narrowly lost a referendum that would have done away with presidential term limits and possibly adding many, many more posts from certain Guanabee editors ranging from sexy Hugomi fanfic to unbridled range. Chavez has hinted during recent campaigning that, depending on the results of this election, he might seek to implement such a referendum yet again.

After casting his own vote in Caracas, Chavez said he was prepared to receive “whatever result” voters decided upon:

“Well, the ‘tyrant Chavez’ lost a referendum last year by a nose, fewer than 10,000 votes, and he was the first one to go out and say we lost,” Chavez said at an impromptu news conference. “He congratulated the winners and advised them to manage their victory well. I learned to manage my defeats years ago.”

He then added “Commemorative, limited edition Hugo-Go Boots are now on sale in the lobby” as he slowly devoured a baby.

Hugo Chavez’s candidates leading in Venezuela elections [LA Times]