The Malaysian Star
written by Caracas bureau reporters
Monday April 15, 2013
CARACAS - Nicolas Maduro, a former bus driver who became Hugo Chavez's protege, narrowly won Venezuela's presidential election on Sunday, the electoral authority said, allowing him to continue the socialist policies of his late predecessor.
Supporters let off fireworks in celebration while opposition backers banged pots and pans in protest after officials said Maduro won 50.7 percent of votes, compared to 49.1 percent for his rival, Henrique Capriles, the governor of Miranda state.
The National Electoral Council said more than 99 percent of the ballots had been counted and the result was "irreversible."
A little-known union activist before becoming a lawmaker and Chavez confidante from the early 1990s, Maduro will now lead the nation with the world's biggest oil reserves for the next six years.
Chavez, who ruled for 14 years, anointed Maduro as his political heir in his last speech to the country before succumbing to cancer on March 5.
That gave the former vice president and foreign minister a huge advantage but Capriles narrowed the gap in the final days of the campaign and the result was much closer than many had expected.
"The fight continues!" Maduro, 50, told a victory rally.
"This was the first time without the giant candidate, but he left behind his 'son', who is now going to be president and is going to show he is worthy of the fatherland."
Maduro beat Capriles by almost 235,000 votes, the electoral council said. There was no immediate response from Capriles, who earlier on Sunday alleged that there was a plan to try to change the result of the election.
Capriles, 40, had argued that voters were tired of divisive Chavez-era politics, and vowed to tackle daily worries such as violent crime, high inflation and creaking utilities.
But in Venezuela's first presidential election without Chavez for two decades, the ruling Socialist Party's powerful get-out-the-vote machinery swung into action behind Maduro.
Chavez's death, at 58, had cemented his already cult-like status among supporters, who adored his down-to-earth style, humble beginnings, aggressive "anti-imperialist" rhetoric, and channelling of oil revenue into social welfare projects.
Maduro began his victory speech waving a picture of Chavez next to a crucifix, and also played a recording of the late president's voice singing Venezuela's national anthem.
Maduro said he had spoken by telephone to Capriles, but rejected what he said was the opposition leader's proposal to sit down with election authorities to scrutinize the figures.
He did, however, say he would be open to an audit, and urged Venezuelans to remain peaceful.
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The Miami Herald
written by Jim Wyss and Andrew Rosati
Monday April 15, 2013
On Monday the opposition continued its call for a full audit of the tight vote, and the government continued to celebrate the victory and accept congratulations.
The National Electoral Council said Maduro had won in 16 out of 24 states, including the capital. But with 99.1 percent of the vote counted he had an advantage of less than 240,000 votes.
Capriles is demanding a full-recount, which Maduro has accepted, and said his camp has collected more than 3,200 reports of problems and campaign violations that could have swayed the vote.
On Monday, the Inter-American Union of Electoral Organizations, one of the international groups invited to follow the election, said the vote was peaceful and took place without problems.
Voting booths closed in “complete” normalcy and the data was transmitted without “problems,” said organization President Roberto Rosario.
Capriles said his camp had counted 3,200 campaign violations during the day and that his internal count proves he won. He demanded a complete recount.
“The people have expressed themselves but the results do not reflect the reality of the country,” he said. “Mr. Maduro, if you were an illegitimate leader before this process you are even less legitimate now. . . . The big loser today is you and what you represent.”
But the tight race was a rude shock for the administration. Chávez had defeated Capriles by 11 percentage points just six months ago, and Maduro went into the race leading many polls by double digits.
As the results were announced, Capriles supporters shouted, “Fraud!”
“I don’t believe this,” said Betty Weber, 60, with tears in her eyes. “Everyone knew we were winning. They’re just playing the same game as always.”
The Capriles campaign said pro-government supporters were rallying around some voting stations and that PSUV activists were accompanying voters to the ballot box, violating their right to a secret vote.
Rosa María Camargo, a 42-year-old accountant, said she had heard reports about pro-Maduro crowds intimidating voters. As she held her 2-year-old son, she broke down in tears.
“I want to have a real country for my son, not this disorder,” she said. “If Maduro wins, it’s going to be because of these abuses.”
As the results were announced, Capriles supporters shouted, “Fraud!”
“I don’t believe this,” said Betty Weber, 60, with tears in her eyes. “Everyone knew we were winning. They’re just playing the same game as always.”
The Capriles campaign said pro-government supporters were rallying around some voting stations and that PSUV activists were accompanying voters to the ballot box, violating their right to a secret vote.
Rosa María Camargo, a 42-year-old accountant, said she had heard reports about pro-Maduro crowds intimidating voters. As she held her 2-year-old son, she broke down in tears.
“I want to have a real country for my son, not this disorder,” she said. “If Maduro wins, it’s going to be because of these abuses.”
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