Jubilant Hugo Chavez supporters waved flags and partied in the streets of Caracas when they heard the result of Venezuela's presidential election.
Socialist Chavez has been re-elected for a fourth term in office in what has been described as the tightest presidential poll for the last ten years. Election officials say he came in with 54 percent of the vote.
The defeated opposition challenger Henrique Capriles was credited with 45 percent. He has conceded defeat to his rival. "I'd like to tell Chavez that I hope he will have a broad vision of the popular expression of our country today. We have a country with two visions: being a good president means working for the unity of all the people of Venezuela."
Turnout was more than 80 percent and voting hours had to be extended at some polling stations.
