Venezuelans cast vote in key election

CARACAS — Venezuelans cast their vote on Sunday for the presidential election, as incumbent President Nicolas Maduro faces opposition challenger Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia.

More than 20 million eligible voters are expected to cast their ballots on Sunday to elect a president from among 10 presidential candidates, but only two with significant polling numbers, Agence France-Presse reported.

Maduro, 61, is seeking a third six-year term while the opposition has coalesced around ex-diplomat Gonzalez, 74, after the main opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was barred from the race.

Gonzalez began his professional career as an aide to Venezuela's ambassador in the US. He had postings in Belgium and El Salvador and served as Caracas' ambassador to Algeria. His last post was as Venezuela's ambassador to Argentina during the first years of the government of Hugo Chavez, The Associated Press reported.

He has promised major changes.

Maduro has said he will guarantee peace and economic growth, making Venezuela less dependent on oil income.

Maduro said he would recognize the election result and urged all other candidates to publicly declare that they would do the same.

"No one is going to create chaos in Venezuela," Maduro said after voting. "I recognize and will recognize the electoral referee, the official announcements and I will make sure they are recognized."

The government has announced the deployment of security force members to maintain peace and enforce border control.

Some people were already lining up outside polling stations late on Saturday night, according to posts on social media, Reuters reported.

Results could be published on Sunday night or in the following days.

Agencies - Xinhua