Election authorities proclaimed Hugo Chavez's handpicked successor Venezuela's president-elect Monday, despite his challenger's demand for a recount. "It was a result that was truly fair, constitutional and popular," Nicolas Maduro said, criticizing his opponent's refusal to concede. Maduro secured 50.8% of votes in Sunday's election, while opposition candidate Henrique Capriles Radonski won 49.0%, Venezuela's National Electoral Council said Monday. The South American country's top election official certified the results at a ceremony in Caracas, saying Venezuela's voting system had worked perfectly. Maduro, who billed himself throughout the campaign as Chavez's political heir, told supporters Monday that the former president's son-in-law would be executive vice president during his six-year term.
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Nicolas Maduro says the election was fair and constitutional
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Election authorities proclaim him president-elect, despite calls for a recount
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The opposition candidate calls for Venezuelans to protest
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Both candidates call for peace, but appear to be bracing for a fight
Henrique Capriles Radonski
Earlier Monday, @placeholder called on his supporters to protest and slammed Maduro as an "illegitimate" leader.
Henrique Capriles Radonski
@placeholder called on them to head to local election offices Tuesday.
Henrique Capriles Radonski
The head of Maduro's campaign accused @placeholder of inciting violence.
Nicolas Maduro
Maduro
Maduro
Nicolas Maduro
His comments dramatically changed the political landscape and became the basis for @placeholder's push to ascend to the presidency after his mentor's death.
Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuelans
In @placeholder, elections officials said Sunday evening that the day had proceeded smoothly without major incidents.