Venezuelan electoral officials say voters have narrowly elected Hugo Chavez's hand-picked successor as president in a close battle.

Winner Nicolas Maduro campaigned on a promise to carry on Mr Chavez's self-styled socialist revolution, and defeated a two-time challenger who claimed the late president's regime has put Venezuela on the road to ruin.

Officials say Mr Maduro, former acting president, defeated Henrique Capriles by just 300,000 votes. The margin was 50.8% to 49.1%.

There was no immediate word from the Capriles camp but Maduro addressed a crowd from the presidential palace. He called his victory further proof that Chavez "continues to be invincible, that he continues to win battles."

He said that Capriles had called him before the results were announced to suggest a "pact" and that Maduro refused. 

However, it's now reported that Henrique Capriles is seeking a recount.

Turnout was 78%, down from just over 80% in the October election that Mr Chavez won by a nearly 11-point margin.

National Electoral Council president Tibisay Lucena told a news conference: "These are the irreversible results that the people have decided."

Mr. Capriles says he does not accept the result.