In pictures: Venezuelans choose Hugo Chavez successor

Venezuelans line up to vote in Caracas for a successor to late President Hugo Chavez

Venezuelans have been queuing since the early hours of Sunday to cast their vote in elections to find a successor to the late President, Hugo Chavez.

A Venezuelan military officer instructs citizens in Caracas where to line up to vote

Security is reported to be tight at polling stations across the Latin American country, with ballots being cast in an atmosphere of calm.

Residents sit as they queue to vote in the presidential election in Caracas

Voters must choose between Nicolas Maduro, named by the late president as his preferred successor, and Henrique Capriles, who narrowly lost to Mr Chavez in elections last year.

Venezuelans line up in numbered rows to vote

Almost 19 million Venezuelans have the right to vote.

A voter has her finger marked with ink after casting her ballot in the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela

Voting is electronic - one machine will identify voters' fingerprints, and a second will recognise identity card numbers and register the vote anonymously.

Caracas residents look for their names on the voters' list outside a polling station for voting in presidential elections

Emotions are said to be high in this election - the first in almost two decades in which Hugo Chavez's name has not appeared on the ballots.

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