CARACAS, (Reuters) – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez  ended six months of national electricity rationing yesterday in a  move likely to boost his popularity ahead of legislative elections  in September.

Electricity cuts of up to six hours a day were imposed on most  parts of the Latin American OPEC nation in January, hindering  efforts to climb out of a year-long recession and pushing the  socialist leader’s support below 50 percent.

“From this moment, the rationing plan is suspended in all parts  of the country,” Chavez said in a televised speech.

The news was a surprise because it came just two days after the  government’s Official Gazette said the rationing program would be  extended for a further two months.
Regulations to make businesses conserve electricity have hurt  productivity in a country that relies on hydropower dams for about  70 percent of its power generation. Recent rains have raised levels  at its main reservoirs after months of drought exacerbated high  consumption and distribution problems.