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Chavez set for Venezuela victory Chavez claims Venezuela poll win
(about 1 hour later)
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez is headed for re-election in Sunday's poll, preliminary results suggest. President Hugo Chavez has declared himself the winner of Venezuela's presidential election, after early results gave him a commanding lead.
With about 80% of votes counted, the left-wing president has secured more than 60% of the vote, according to official figures. The president told a cheering crowd in the capital, Caracas, that the poll had been a triumph for his revolution.
They suggest his main opposition rival, Manuel Rosales, is far behind. Earlier, official results gave Mr Chavez an unassailable lead. With about 80% of ballots counted, he had polled more than 60% of the vote.
If the results are confirmed, Mr Chavez would have obtained the strong majority he is seeking to complete his socialist revolution. His opposition rival Manuel Rosales has not so far admitted defeat.
The BBC's Greg Morsbach, in Caracas, says it is not clear whether the opposition will try to challenge the results or not.
Street partyStreet party
Hundreds of supporters took to the streets to celebrate as the early results were announced, letting off fireworks and playing pro-Chavez songs over loudspeakers. Hundreds of Chavez supporters took to the streets to celebrate as the early results were announced, letting off fireworks and playing pro-Chavez songs over loudspeakers.
It is a bigger party than New Year's Eve Taxi driver, CaracasIt is a bigger party than New Year's Eve Taxi driver, Caracas
"Chavez isn't going anywhere," they shouted."Chavez isn't going anywhere," they shouted.
"That should be the national anthem," one taxi driver from a slum told Reuters news agency as he drove around an affluent area of the capital, Caracas."That should be the national anthem," one taxi driver from a slum told Reuters news agency as he drove around an affluent area of the capital, Caracas.
"People round here do not know what it is like in the slums. It is a bigger party than New Year's Eve," he added. "People round here do not know what it is like in the slums. It is a bigger party than New Year's Eve."
Sunday's election saw a high turnout. No major incidents were reported. Sunday's election saw a high turnout and the poll was monitored by hundreds of international observers.
The poll was monitored by hundreds of international observers.
Mr Chavez has won support from millions of poor Venezuelans by using oil wealth to boost social programmes.Mr Chavez has won support from millions of poor Venezuelans by using oil wealth to boost social programmes.
His critics accuse him of concentrating power in his own hands and squandering Venezuela's resources.His critics accuse him of concentrating power in his own hands and squandering Venezuela's resources.
Mr Rosales, governor of the oil-rich western state of Zulia, said the country's long-term interests lie in free-market policies and attracting foreign investment.Mr Rosales, governor of the oil-rich western state of Zulia, said the country's long-term interests lie in free-market policies and attracting foreign investment.