Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has won a third term with 51% of the vote, the electoral authority said.

Maduro, set to extend his 11 years in power, said his re-election is a triumph of peace and stability, reiterating his campaign trail assertion that Venezuela's electoral system was transparent.

The results announced by the national electoral council contradict several exit polls which showed a decisive win for opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez.

Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who had been barred from holding public office, said Gonzalez secured 70% of the vote.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said China congratulated President Maduro on his “successful re-election.”

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