Chávez Congratulates Socialists on Election Victory

Caracas, Sep 27. -Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez congratulated the socialists and their allies today on their electoral victory Sunday, after they won at least 95 of the National Assembly´s 165 seats.

"Bolivarian and democratic socialism. We must continue strengthening the revolution! A new victory for the people. I congratulate you all," Chávez wrote in his Twitter account, @chavezcandanga.

The president said it was a solid victory for continuing to deepen the process of change begun in 1999.

According to the first bulletin issued by the National Electoral Council, the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) won 95 seats (including an allied indigenous seat), while the opposition coalition Mesa de la Unidad Democrática won 60.

The Patria para Todos (Homeland for All) Party won 2 seats, indigenous groups won 2 and 6 were still undecided.

More than 66 percent of the 17,575,975 registered voters cast their ballots, according to National Electoral Council president Tibisay Lucena.

Even though the PSUV did not win a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly (110 of 165 seats), its status as the principal political power the country was reaffirmed, said PSUV vice president Aristóbulo Istúriz.

Speaking from a stage near Miraflores Palace, Isturiz called on party members to strengthen their unity. (Prensa Latina)