(VOVworld)- The Venezuelan Presidential campaign concluded on Thursday and the official election will begin on Sunday. The race between the two main candidates, Interim President Nicolas Maduro and Democratic Solidarity Committee representative Henrique Capriles, has come to a defining comment. Venezuelan voters must choose between Hugo Chavez’s successor and a candidate who wants to take Venezuela back to a market economy.

Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Henrique Capriles  Photo: Reuters.com

As election day nears, Maduro and Capriles have been assailing each other with accusations and sharp personal criticisms. Maduro promises to continue former President Chavez’s efforts to implement the 2^nd phase of the national socialist program until 2019, while Capriles lists Chavez’s unfulfilled tasks and accuses the government of corruption and ineffective management which has resulted in increasing crime and a shortage of necessities. Capriles has accused Maduro of hiding the truth about President Chavez’s health while Chavez was preparing for re-election. In response, Maduro has said that Capriles insulted Chavez’s family and that Capriles could face legal action for criticizing the government’s handling of Chavez’s health problems.

In a recent poll, 61.9% of respondents expected a Maduro victory, the figure for Capriles was 19.9%. Previous polls showed the same result: Nicolas Maduro strongly favored over his rival Henriques Capriles.

Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela's acting president and Chavez's hand-picked successor. Photo: Reuters.com

Analysts say that though President Chavez did not fulfill his set socio-economic targets which has resulted in high inflation, during his 14 years in power he considerably improved the lives of the poor and this has been a great advantage for the Interim President. Maduro boosted his support by selecting Sanbaneta city in Barinas, the home city of Hugo Chavez to launch his campaign. Despite his death, Chavez remains a factor in the election. In his speeches, Maduro always reminds the voters that Chavez selected him as successor to continue his reform policies. Six months ago, Maduro pledged to strengthen social reform programs and be loyal to Chavez’s commitment to the Bolivar Revolution and socialism in Venezuela. Meanwhile, Capriles, who has spent time criticizing the government’s weaknesses under Chavez, has failed to suggest any new solutions to Venezuela’s problems. Prior to his campaign, Capriles hesitated before deciding run in this election. Maduro’s supporters have criticized Capriles for lacking confidence in his leadership ability. Nor has Capriles’s campaign always been clear and consistent. In October 2012, when he was still running against Chavez, Capriles said that if he won, he would adopt a Brazil-style development model for Venezuela, in which public and private sectors would cooperate and the State would play the role of building trust and enforcing regulations. He also said he would pursue an open-door integration policy in all areas. More recently, however, he has said he will focus on ordinary issues such as electricity cuts, crime and inflation. Many people think he was unwise to criticize Maduro for using Chavez’s failing health for political gain calling his criticism unfair and insensitive. Chavez’ relatives have asked the opposition to respect their grief and have said they will take legal action against Capriles.

It seems clear that Maduro is favored to become in three days time, the new Venezuelan President, who can unite the Venezuelan people and bring the country to further development and prosperity.

Anh Huyen