election CARACAS -- Hugo Chávez proved his power from beyond the grave Sunday, as his handpicked successor narrowly won office in a contested vote that many saw as a tribute to the fallen socialist firebrand.
Nicolás Maduro, 50, a long-time ally of the late president, narrowly edged out rival Henrique Capriles in a race that will be contested.
Maduro won 7.505 million votes, or 50.6 percent, vs. Capriles’ 7.270 million, or 49.1 percent, the National Electoral Council (CNE) said. With 99 percent of the vote counted, the results were conclusive, the CNE said.