Venezuela’s incumbent President Hugo Chavez was re-elected on Sunday to a new six-year term, election officials said.
Chavez defeated his main contender opposition leader Henrique Capriles.
Chavez gained 54.42 percent and Capriles 44.97 percent, with 90 percent of the vote counted, election council chief Tibisay Lucena said.
Speaking at his campaign headquarters, Capriles congratulated Chavez on victory.
Last month, Capriles, 40, said the socialist leader was more interested in promoting his self-styled revolution around the world than in addressing power cuts, unemployment and high crime rates in the country.
Chavez, 58, said in early September he was convinced he would gain 70 percent of the vote at the October 7 presidential elections.
