New election law passed in Venezuela

Venezuela's National Assembly has passed an election law that critics say will favour the party of President Hugo Chavez in polls next year. The law passed easily in the National Congress, which is dominated by supporters of Mr Chavez. It allows the National Election Council to redraw voting district boundaries. Meanwhile, Venezuela's media regulator ordered the closure of 34 radio stations amid a growing feud between the government and the private media. The moves come amid accusations by the opposition that Mr Chavez is becoming increasingly autocratic, the BBC's Will Grant reports from Venezuela. Supporters of the election law president say it is needed to better reflect the changing shape of grassroots politics in the country, which they say has become more localised and representative under Mr Chavez. Indigenous communities would be better represented under the new system, they say. On the other hand, the president's opponents say the law is an effort to prevent them from getting a foothold in the National Assembly, and that it would help Mr Chavez's United Socialist Party (PSUV) in congressional elections due next year.