This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-35628093
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Bolivian President Evo Morales 'loses' fourth term bid' | Bolivian President Evo Morales 'loses' fourth term bid' |
(about 2 hours later) | |
President Evo Morales of Bolivia has narrowly lost a referendum to allow him to stand for a fourth term in office, exit polls suggest. | President Evo Morales of Bolivia has narrowly lost a referendum to allow him to stand for a fourth term in office, exit polls suggest. |
One poll suggests 52.3% voted against the proposal to amend the constitution, while another suggests it was 51%. | One poll suggests 52.3% voted against the proposal to amend the constitution, while another suggests it was 51%. |
But his deputy has predicted Bolivia's first head of state of indigenous origin could still win, as official results trickle in. | |
The change would have let Mr Morales remain in power until 2025. | |
Opposition supporters have been celebrating the referendum result in parts of the main city, La Paz | Opposition supporters have been celebrating the referendum result in parts of the main city, La Paz |
Mr Morales, an indigenous Aymara and former coca leaf producer, took office in January 2006. | Mr Morales, an indigenous Aymara and former coca leaf producer, took office in January 2006. |
The president's current term ends in 2020. | The president's current term ends in 2020. |
He is still a popular leader and the economy has grown steadily over the past decade, the BBC's Americas Editor, Leonardo Rocha, reports. | |
However, many thought Evo Morales should not be allowed to serve 19 consecutive years as president, our editor adds. | |
Appeal for caution | Appeal for caution |
Vice-President Alvaro Garcia Linera urged people to wait for the official results. | Vice-President Alvaro Garcia Linera urged people to wait for the official results. |
"Opinion polls, especially exit polls, make mistakes," he told reporters. | "Opinion polls, especially exit polls, make mistakes," he told reporters. |
"They don't take into account the vote abroad. They don't go to the more remote locations, where there is more support for our socialist movement. | "They don't take into account the vote abroad. They don't go to the more remote locations, where there is more support for our socialist movement. |
"It's highly likely that the numbers shown by the opinion polls will be very different from the reality." | "It's highly likely that the numbers shown by the opinion polls will be very different from the reality." |
Vote counting has been slower than usual. | Vote counting has been slower than usual. |
The electoral authorities say the delay is affecting mostly ballots from rural areas, which largely support the president. | The electoral authorities say the delay is affecting mostly ballots from rural areas, which largely support the president. |
In the eastern province of Santa Cruz, angry voters set fire to ballot papers and ballot boxes after a delay to the opening of several polling stations. | In the eastern province of Santa Cruz, angry voters set fire to ballot papers and ballot boxes after a delay to the opening of several polling stations. |