Uncertain victory for Chavez's heir

Uncertain victory for Chavez's heir

Caracas, Venezuela
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Nicolas Maduro, the chosen successor of Venezuela’s late socialist leader Hugo Chavez, raises his hand and looks towards the heavens before casting his ballot in the country’s presidential election.

Election board results show Maduro won the vote by a whisker, but he now faces opposition protests plus a host of economic and political challenges.

. CARACAS, Venezuela. REUTERS/Marco Bello

Opposition leader Henrique Capriles took 49.1 percent of the vote. That was just 235,000 fewer ballots than his rival Maduro, who won with 50.7 percent according to election board returns.

Capriles, whose strong showing confounded most forecasts, refused to recognise the result and said his team had a list of more than 3,000 irregularities ranging from gunshots to the illegal reopening of polling centres.

"I didn't fight against a candidate today, but against the whole abuse of power," said Capriles, demanding a recount.

. CARACAS, Venezuela. REUTERS/Tomas Bravo

Supporters attend a rally outside the national election board as Maduro registered as a candidate for president in March, shortly after the death of former leader Hugo Chavez.

Before dying of cancer, Chavez named Maduro as his preferred heir, but the close results of the April 14 vote raise doubts about the long-term appeal and durability of the movement that Chavez built, led and held together throughout his 14 years in power.

Despite the ongoing controversy, officials said Maduro would be formally proclaimed winner by the election board at a ceremony and rally in downtown Caracas.

Maduro said he would accept a full recount, even as he insisted his victory was clean and dedicated it to Chavez. The election board said Maduro's win was "irreversible" and gave no indication of when it might carry out an audit.

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Slideshow

Supporters of opposition leader Henrique Capriles flock to a campaign rally in the state of Merida.
. MERIDA, Venezuela. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

Supporters of opposition leader Henrique Capriles flock to a campaign rally in the state of Merida.

Capriles throws his cap at a rally.
. BARQUISIMETO, Venezuela. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

Capriles throws his cap at a rally.

Maduro supporters watch motorcyclists do wheelies before Maduro's arrival at his closing campaign rally in Caracas.
. CARACAS, Venezuela. REUTERS/Edwin Montilva

Maduro supporters watch motorcyclists do wheelies before Maduro's arrival at his closing campaign rally in Caracas.

Maduro's granddaughter Paola whispers in his ear during a rally.
. CARACAS, Venezuela. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

Maduro's granddaughter Paola whispers in his ear during a rally.

Venezuelans pose with ink-stained fingers after casting their vote.
. CARACAS, Venezuela. REUTERS/Tomas Bravo

Venezuelans pose with ink-stained fingers after casting their vote.

Supporters of Capriles react after the official results gave a victory to Maduro.
. CARACAS, Venezuela. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

Supporters of Capriles react after the official results gave a victory to Maduro.

Maduro and his wife celebrate after election board returns showed him as the winner.
. CARACAS, Venezuela. REUTERS/Tomas Bravo

Maduro and his wife celebrate after election board returns showed him as the winner.

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