Venezuela invites election observes

CARACAS - Venezuelan electoral authorities said Tuesday that they had invited international organizations to observe the upcoming presidential election.

Invitations had been extended to the Union of South American Nations, the Southern Common Market and some 50 other international bodies, said the National Electoral Council (CNE).

The race to determine the successor of Hugo Chavez, who died on March 5, will be held on April 14, and some 18.9 million people are eligible to vote, according to the CNE.

So far the CNE has recognized seven of the eight applicants for candidacy, including acting President Nicolas Maduro from the ruling party and opposition leader Henrique Capriles.

Venezuela's acting President Nicolas Maduro gestures to supporters after he registered as a candidate for president in the April 14 election outside the national election board in Caracas March 11, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

Venezuela's opposition leader and presidential candidate Henrique Capriles shows the Venezuelan constitution during a news conference in Caracas March 11, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

The application of Pana Change party nominee Gonzalo Contreras was rejected for failure to submit his management plan.

According to the Venezuelan constitution, a new and direct general election must be held within 30 days after the death of a head of state.