Venezuela's acting President Nicolas Maduro (front) participates in a ceremony of his official registration as the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV)'s candidate for presidential elections of April 14, at Venezuela's National Electoral Council (CNE) in Caracas, capital of Venezuela, on March 11, 2013. (Xinhua/David de la Paz)
CARACAS, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's ruling and opposition parties are gearing up for the upcoming presidential election as both camps officially fielded their candidates Monday.
The ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela registered acting President Nicolas Maduro as the candidate in the April 14 race for the top office following Hugo Chavez's death.
Stressing the instructions of Chavez, Maduro said upon his registration that he would "take his (Chavez's) flag, his cause and follow the victorious march."
"Here I come to deliver the same program for the country that he (Chavez) gave exactly nine months ago. I come to deliver and make a lifetime commitment to our people," said Maduro, referring to the campaign promises Chavez made during last year's presidential race.
Maduro pledged that he would continue to pursue the five "historic objectives" outlined by Chavez in the last campaign, in a bid to turn the country into a strong power.
He also appealed to his supporters to remain peaceful and nonviolent during the campaign.
Maduro will contest the presidential race against opposition leader Henrique Capriles, whose candidacy was also announced Monday by the National Electoral Council (CNE).
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