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Chavez claims Venezuela poll win Chavez claims Venezuela poll win
(10 minutes later)
President Hugo Chavez has declared himself the winner of Venezuela's presidential election, after early results gave him a commanding lead.President Hugo Chavez has declared himself the winner of Venezuela's presidential election, after early results gave him a commanding lead.
The president told a cheering crowd in the capital, Caracas, that the poll had been a triumph for his revolution.The president told a cheering crowd in the capital, Caracas, that the poll had been a triumph for his revolution.
Earlier, election officials announced that he had polled more than 60% of the vote, with more than three-quarters of ballots counted.Earlier, election officials announced that he had polled more than 60% of the vote, with more than three-quarters of ballots counted.
His main opposition rival, Manuel Rosales, has not admitted defeat.His main opposition rival, Manuel Rosales, has not admitted defeat.
The BBC's Greg Morsbach, in Caracas, says it is not clear whether the opposition will try to challenge the outcome or not.The BBC's Greg Morsbach, in Caracas, says it is not clear whether the opposition will try to challenge the outcome or not.
Minutes after the preliminary results were announced, Mr Chavez appeared at the balcony of the presidential palace in Caracas.Minutes after the preliminary results were announced, Mr Chavez appeared at the balcony of the presidential palace in Caracas.
It is a bigger party than New Year's Eve Taxi driver, Caracas "Today, a new era has started, with the expansion of the revolution, of a revolutionary democracy," he told the crowd.It is a bigger party than New Year's Eve Taxi driver, Caracas "Today, a new era has started, with the expansion of the revolution, of a revolutionary democracy," he told the crowd.
Venezuela was firmly on the track to socialism, he added.Venezuela was firmly on the track to socialism, he added.
Street partyStreet party
Earlier, thousands of Chavez supporters had taken to the streets to celebrate, letting off fireworks and playing pro-Chavez songs over loudspeakers.Earlier, thousands of Chavez supporters had taken to the streets to celebrate, letting off fireworks and playing pro-Chavez songs over loudspeakers.
"That should be the national anthem," one taxi driver from a shanty town told Reuters news agency as he drove around an affluent area of Caracas."That should be the national anthem," one taxi driver from a shanty town told Reuters news agency as he drove around an affluent area of Caracas.
Vote in pictures Q&A: Venezuela votesVote in pictures Q&A: Venezuela votes
"People round here do not know what it is like in the slums. It is a bigger party than New Year's Eve.""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 and the poll was monitored by hundreds of international observers.Sunday's election saw a high turnout and 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 secured support from millions of poor Venezuelans by using oil wealth to boost social programmes.
The president - an ally of Cuban leader Fidel Castro - won elections in 1998 and 2000.
Another six-year term with a strong majority will give him a clearmandate to scrap presidential term limits, analysts say.
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.