Caracas, Shawwal 17, 1431, Sept 26, SPA -- Venezuelans head to the polls later Sunday to choose a new parliament in the South American country. The election of 165 delegates to the National Assembly is seen as a referendum on the performance of President Hugo Chavez and his strict path of socialism, according to a report of DPA. Unlike 2005, when the opposition boycotted the election, this year they are fielding candidates. More than 10 parties are part of the coalition Mesa de la Unidad Democratica, the Table for Democratic Union. Around 17 million voters are registered to cast ballots in 12,500 voting locales in 87 voting districts. --SPA 11:32 LOCAL TIME 08:32 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/820638