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Chavez wins Venezuela re-election Chavez wins Venezuela re-election
(20 minutes later)
President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela has won a third term in office, with a clear victory over his nearest rival.President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela has won a third term in office, with a clear victory over his nearest rival.
With most ballots counted in the presidential election, Mr Chavez had secured more than 60% of the vote, officials said.With most ballots counted in the presidential election, Mr Chavez had secured more than 60% of the vote, officials said.
The left-wing president told a cheering crowd in the capital, Caracas, that the poll had been a triumph for his "Bolivarian revolution".The left-wing president told a cheering crowd in the capital, Caracas, that the poll had been a triumph for his "Bolivarian revolution".
His main opposition rival, Manuel Rosales, has admitted defeat.His main opposition rival, Manuel Rosales, has admitted defeat.
In his concession speech, Mr Rosales said he would continue "fighting for the people of Venezuela, fighting for democracy". He was credited with less than 40% of the vote.
In his concession speech, Mr Rosales said he would continue "fighting for democracy" in the streets if necessary.
Street partyStreet party
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, CaracasIt 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. "Today a new era has started, with the expansion of the revolution," he told tens of thousands of jubilant people.
Venezuela was firmly on the track to socialism, he added.Venezuela was firmly on the track to socialism, he added.
Earlier thousands of his supporters had taken to the streets to celebrate, letting off fireworks and playing pro-Chavez songs over loudspeakers. Earlier, 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 secured 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.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 clear mandate to scrap presidential term limits, analysts say.Another six-year term with a strong majority will give him a clear mandate 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, argued in his campaign that the country's long-term interests lay in free-market policies and attracting foreign investment.Mr Rosales, governor of the oil-rich western state of Zulia, argued in his campaign that the country's long-term interests lay in free-market policies and attracting foreign investment.