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Fireworks in Venezuela as Madura calls for calm

Fireworks in Caracas as Venezuela elects Madura Credit: Reuters






Maduro wins Venezuela election with 51% of votes



Fears over Venezuela's Presidential election result

Both sides in an election to choose a successor to Venezuela's late leader Hugo Chavez expressed confidence of victory after Sunday's vote, raising fears that the official result could be contested.

Acting President Nicolas Maduro led all polls before the vote, buoyed by Chavez's blessing before he died from cancer last month and vowing to continue the former president's self-styled socialist revolution.

But Maduro's rival, state governor Henrique Capriles, appeared to close the gap in the last days of the short campaign.


Venezuela's opposition complains of illegal voting

Following opposition complaints that some people were illegally helping elderly voters cast their ballots, Henrique Capriles urged his followers to report any violations of election laws.

But he also stressed he would respect the outcome of the vote, whatever it might be.

Venezuelan opposition leader and presidential candidate Henrique Capriles holds up his ink-stained finger after casting his ballot. Credit: REUTERS/Tomas Bravo

"Today, all Venezuelans are reporters. If you see something irregular, take a picture, air it on social media," Capriles said after voting.

"But let there be no doubt, we will respect the will of the people."

Electoral authorities said voting was going smoothly and that there was no evidence of irregularities.

Given the deep mutual mistrust on both sides, some worry that a close or contested result could spark unrest.


Polls were due to close on Sunday, but voting continued past that in some places to accommodate queues.

Venezuela votes on successor to Hugo Chavez

The people of Venezuelan voted on whether to honour Hugo Chavez's dying wish for a long time loyalist to continue his self-styled socialist revolution or hand power to a young challenger promising business-friendly changes.

Acting President Nicolas Maduro led opposition rival Henrique Capriles in most polls heading into the vote, buoyed by Chavez's public blessing before he died from cancer last month.

cting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores visit the tomb of late President Hugo Chavez Credit: REUTERS/Francisco Batista/Miraflores Palace/Handout (V

Maduro supporters mobilised voters with pre-dawn bugle calls in the rough barrios of Caracas, where Chavez is revered as a hero of the poor.

"We're going to elect Maduro president because he's following the path set by Chavez," Morelia Roa, a 58-year-old nurse, said after casting her ballot in the same working class Caracas district where Maduro voted.

Lines formed under blistering sunshine at some voting centers, but many were shorter than they were at last October's election, when an ailing Chavez beat Capriles. Then, a record 80 percent of registered voters cast ballots following an aggressive get-out-the-vote campaign by the Chavista camp.

Capriles alleges plan to “change” Venezuala election

Venezuela opposition candidate Henrique Capriles has alleged via Twitter there is a plan to “change” the country's election result.

Venezuela's opposition leader, Capriles, alleged there was a plan to try and change the results of the South American nation's presidential election.

"We alert the country and the world of the intention to try and change the will expressed by the people," he said in a Twitter message.

Capriles' aides confirmed the tweet was legitimate.

Government officials called it irresponsible.

Venezuela acting president threatens curse on election

enezuela's acting President and presidential candidate Nicolas Maduro waves to supporters during a campaign rally at the state of Bolivar. Credit: Reuters




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