In pictures: Venezuela reacts to Nicolas Maduro victory

Nicolas Maduro celebrates after the official election results are announced declaring him the winner in the presidential election

Governing party candidate Nicolas Maduro, who was hand-picked by late president Hugo Chavez as his successor, has won the presidential poll in Venezuela by a narrow margin.

Mr Maduro's supporters, dressed in the trademark red colours of Venezuela's United Socialist Party, erupted in celebrations when the results were announced.

Fireworks went off across the capital, Caracas, and thousands of Mr Maduro's supporters held street parties.

Many sported fake moustaches in honour of their candidate, who will now govern until 2019.

Opposition candidate Henrique Capriles has refused to recognise the result and demanded a recount.

Supporters of Mr Capriles could not believe their candidate had lost to Mr Maduro by less than two percentage points.

After 14 years of Mr Chavez as president, opposition supporters had hoped for a change, but Mr Maduro has already said he will continue to implement Mr Chavez's policies.

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