Ten candidates, including incumbent President Hugo Chavez, will compete for the next presidency of Venezuela in the presidential vote on Dec. 3 this year, the National Election Council (CNE) said in a statement.

The presidential candidate registration officially ended on Thursday, with a total of 10 presidential candidates having registered in the CNE.

Former Minister of Transport and Communications Roberto Smith, who was expected to register and contend for the polls, said he would not do so, and will support top opposition candidate, Zulia provincial governor Manuel Rosales instead.

A poll published last week by a national daily said Chavez had 58.9 percent of voter intentions, Rosales 19.3 percent, and Benjamin Rausseo, a highly popular standup comedian from the Vote Rock Party, a mere 6.2 percent.

Other candidates for the presidency include Jose Tineo of the Venezuela Third Millennium, Carmelo Romano Perez of the People's United Liberal Movement and Jesus Caldera Infante of the New Progressive Alliance.

Voters have to complete the registration process by Sept. 4, with appropriate updates of their details. The CNE will hold a series of activities across the nation to promote voter participation.

Source: Xinhua