CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- Venezuela's National Assembly on Thursday began considering a proposal for a referendum on abolishing term limits, which could let President Hugo Chavez run for re-election indefinitely.

Lawmakers are expected to approve plans for the vote after a second and final debate next month. Election officials say the referendum could be held in March.

The predominantly pro-government National Assembly held its first discussion of the proposal as Chavez backers rallied outside, waving flags and turning in boxes of petitions in support of the vote.

Government officials said 4.7 million signatures had been collected. Opponents have noted, however, that the signatures are not expected to be independently verified by electoral officials.

The petition drive is largely symbolic because lawmakers have the power to approve the referendum on their own.