Venezuela: Chavez appears to have about 54% in election

Chavez sends armored carriers in streets for order during election.

(Venezuela vote) Chavez polls 54.4pc (10 mins ago)

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez was re-elected to another six-year term after seeing off a stiff challenge from youthful opposition leader Henrique Capriles, partial results showed.

“I ask the nation to stay calm, be patient and that nobody despair, that nobody fall into provocations, no violence, and we wait for the results,'' Chavez said in a phone call to his campaign team.

“Calm, act sensibly, patience! Today was a historic, magnificent day, the people spoke!'' Capriles wrote earlier on Twitter. “We know what happened and we must wait! Viva Venezuela!''

Latino América mas unida que nunca,gano #Chavez,gano la patria grande! Cipayo LTA,llora,llora la derecha![Translate:"about 3 hours ago Latin America more united than ever, won # Chavez, won the great nation! Cipayo LTA, cry, cry right!]"