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| Venezuela votes in hi-tech poll to choose Chávez successor | Venezuela votes in hi-tech poll to choose Chávez successor |
| (30 days later) | |
| Venezuelans went to hi-tech polling booths on Sunday for the first presidential election of the post-Hugo Chávez era, with surveys indicating that his chosen successor will win a clear mandate to continue his policies of "21st Century Socialism." | Venezuelans went to hi-tech polling booths on Sunday for the first presidential election of the post-Hugo Chávez era, with surveys indicating that his chosen successor will win a clear mandate to continue his policies of "21st Century Socialism." |
| If he wins, Nicolás Maduro, the ruling party candidate, has promised to extend social welfare "missions" and disarm the slums to reduce alarmingly high levels of crime in the South American nation. | If he wins, Nicolás Maduro, the ruling party candidate, has promised to extend social welfare "missions" and disarm the slums to reduce alarmingly high levels of crime in the South American nation. |
| Although most recent polls have put the former trade union negotiator more than 10 points ahead of his business-orientated rival Henrique Capriles, there are indications that the turnout may not be as high as in the past. | Although most recent polls have put the former trade union negotiator more than 10 points ahead of his business-orientated rival Henrique Capriles, there are indications that the turnout may not be as high as in the past. |
| The short, 10-day campaign was prompted by Chávez's death from cancer on 5 March. It has been marked by allegations of impropriety and constant references to the politician who dominated Venezuela's political life for the past 14 years. | The short, 10-day campaign was prompted by Chávez's death from cancer on 5 March. It has been marked by allegations of impropriety and constant references to the politician who dominated Venezuela's political life for the past 14 years. |
| Maduro's campaign slogan has been "We are all Chávez", describing himself as a son of the "Christ of the Poor". He visited his mentor's tomb on Saturday to commemorate the 10th anniversary of a failed coup against the former leader. | Maduro's campaign slogan has been "We are all Chávez", describing himself as a son of the "Christ of the Poor". He visited his mentor's tomb on Saturday to commemorate the 10th anniversary of a failed coup against the former leader. |
| Capriles, a 40-year-old state governor who promised to manage the economy more effectively, wrote on his Twitter feed that this event – widely covered by the government-controlled media – was a "flagrant violation" of electoral rules that forbid campaigning in the two days prior to the vote. | Capriles, a 40-year-old state governor who promised to manage the economy more effectively, wrote on his Twitter feed that this event – widely covered by the government-controlled media – was a "flagrant violation" of electoral rules that forbid campaigning in the two days prior to the vote. |
| It was one of many claims of unfairness leveled by the challenger, who is disadvantaged by Maduro's extra airtime on state news channels, his use of the presidential jet to fly to rallies, and resources and personnel from massive state-owned companies. | It was one of many claims of unfairness leveled by the challenger, who is disadvantaged by Maduro's extra airtime on state news channels, his use of the presidential jet to fly to rallies, and resources and personnel from massive state-owned companies. |
| In contrast, the vote itself has been lauded by outside observers as among the most advanced in the world. | In contrast, the vote itself has been lauded by outside observers as among the most advanced in the world. |
| Voters lodge their choices electronically on touchscreens, then place printed hardcopies in a ballot box before signing their names to confirm they have done their electoral duty. | Voters lodge their choices electronically on touchscreens, then place printed hardcopies in a ballot box before signing their names to confirm they have done their electoral duty. |
| On the streets of Caracas, it was easy to spot those who had already voted by their purple little fingers, marked with indellible ink to ensure that nobody could cast a ballot twice. | On the streets of Caracas, it was easy to spot those who had already voted by their purple little fingers, marked with indellible ink to ensure that nobody could cast a ballot twice. |
| Former US president Jimmy Carter has described this system as the best of the 92 national elections that his Carter Centre has monitored worldwide, though his organisation has emphasised there are concerns about campaign fairness. | Former US president Jimmy Carter has described this system as the best of the 92 national elections that his Carter Centre has monitored worldwide, though his organisation has emphasised there are concerns about campaign fairness. |
| Supporters of Maduro rallied voters early on Sunday morning with soundtrucks playing bugle calls and recordings of the national anthem being sung by Chávez. | Supporters of Maduro rallied voters early on Sunday morning with soundtrucks playing bugle calls and recordings of the national anthem being sung by Chávez. |
| However, at the Miguel Otero Silva voting centre in Antimano, a poor district in eastern Caracas, voters said the turnout seemed lower than six months ago when Venezuelans chose between Chávez and Capriles; the reasons many cited was that Maduro was no Chávez. | However, at the Miguel Otero Silva voting centre in Antimano, a poor district in eastern Caracas, voters said the turnout seemed lower than six months ago when Venezuelans chose between Chávez and Capriles; the reasons many cited was that Maduro was no Chávez. |
| "The race seems tighter than last time", says Eli Gomez a mototaxi driver who lives in the hills of Antimano. "Chávez was one in a million. People feel deflated. I want to see a change but many people have resigned themselves". | "The race seems tighter than last time", says Eli Gomez a mototaxi driver who lives in the hills of Antimano. "Chávez was one in a million. People feel deflated. I want to see a change but many people have resigned themselves". |
| But the strong base of ruling party supportwas also evident. Ana Manzanillo, a 42-year-old goverment official said things have never been better. "With Chávez I got a post in the government. He is the only one who cared for the poor. If Capriles wins he'll end all that." | But the strong base of ruling party supportwas also evident. Ana Manzanillo, a 42-year-old goverment official said things have never been better. "With Chávez I got a post in the government. He is the only one who cared for the poor. If Capriles wins he'll end all that." |
| Posters lining the Avenida Baralt , a gritty street that traverses western Caracas, read "te lo juro" ("I swear"), a sentiment that reflects the staunch commitment of Chávez supporters to further the Bolivarian revolution that the late leader launched 14 years ago. Such sentiment translates as votes for Maduro. | Posters lining the Avenida Baralt , a gritty street that traverses western Caracas, read "te lo juro" ("I swear"), a sentiment that reflects the staunch commitment of Chávez supporters to further the Bolivarian revolution that the late leader launched 14 years ago. Such sentiment translates as votes for Maduro. |
| "I will do what my comandante asked me to, and if he said Maduro, then Maduro it is. He trained him well, and he is our new leader," says Douglas Serrano a construction worker. | "I will do what my comandante asked me to, and if he said Maduro, then Maduro it is. He trained him well, and he is our new leader," says Douglas Serrano a construction worker. |
| In the upmarket neighbourhood of Los Palos Grandes, the crowds too seemed smaller than in October's elections. Voting machines had been set in a place as early as 6 am with no irregularites reported. | In the upmarket neighbourhood of Los Palos Grandes, the crowds too seemed smaller than in October's elections. Voting machines had been set in a place as early as 6 am with no irregularites reported. |
| "I think we have a greater chance this time around. Capriles is doing much better but I am afraid that if he wins the results will not be honoured," says Andres Anzola, a food distributor. | "I think we have a greater chance this time around. Capriles is doing much better but I am afraid that if he wins the results will not be honoured," says Andres Anzola, a food distributor. |
| Bus drivers responsible for getting voters to the polls said they felt less busy than when Chávez was running. "It might be that people come out to vote later, or it could be that they are tired [of going to the polls for the third time in six months]," said driver Alex Contreras. | Bus drivers responsible for getting voters to the polls said they felt less busy than when Chávez was running. "It might be that people come out to vote later, or it could be that they are tired [of going to the polls for the third time in six months]," said driver Alex Contreras. |
| The mood on the streets was peaceful despite allegations from the government that a gropu of Colombian mercenaries have been hired as part of US-based efforts to destabilise the country, and reported warnings from revolutionary urban militias to take up arms if Capriles wins. | The mood on the streets was peaceful despite allegations from the government that a gropu of Colombian mercenaries have been hired as part of US-based efforts to destabilise the country, and reported warnings from revolutionary urban militias to take up arms if Capriles wins. |
| Close to 19 million people are registered to vote in the election. | Close to 19 million people are registered to vote in the election. |
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