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Bolivian region in autonomy vote Bolivian region in autonomy vote
(20 minutes later)
Bolivia's eastern region of Santa Cruz is holding a referendum on proposals to give it more control over land and taxes, and more decision-making powers. Bolivia's eastern region of Santa Cruz is holding an unofficial referendum on plans to give it more autonomy from central government.
The poll pits the European-descended elite in Santa Cruz against President Evo Morales's indigenous supporters. The authorities in La Paz have declared the vote illegal, and say they will ignore the results.
The military has warned that Sunday's vote threatens the territorial integrity of the country and that it will ignore the result. Voting has so far been peaceful, but correspondents say the poll is threatening to split the country.
The government has said it considers the vote to be illegal. Many in what is Bolivia's richest province are critical of left-wing President Evo Morales.
Protesters reportedly blocked roads in eastern Bolivia ahead of the poll, saying they would prevent people from voting. President Morales has promised radical reforms that he hopes will lead Bolivia, the poorest country in South America, out of poverty.
'Serious danger' He is backed by the country's large indigenous community, but many in the oil and gas-rich eastern provinces oppose his policies.
Mario Ayala Ferrufino, permanent secretary of the Supreme National Defence Council, told reporters that dialogue was urgently needed. Fears of violence
"We cannot dismiss that a serious danger exists, a threat to the territorial integrity (of Bolivia)," he said. Leaders in Santa Cruz - home to about 25% of Bolivia's population - have demanded more control over their resources.
The BBC's Andres Schipani reports from Santa Cruz that the vote is pushing the country towards the brink of a deep crisis with both sides showing little sign of backing down.
Poll sparks crisis fearsPoll sparks crisis fears
Though the vote has fuelled fears of violence, the government has ruled out sending security forces and has asked indigenous groups and other government supporters not to interfere, our correspondent adds.
Opposition to Mr Morales stems from a reform programme that would grant greater powers and a bigger share of Bolivia's land and resources to the country's indigenous majority.
They have long been marginalised by the country's European-descended elite, our correspondent says.
Leaders in energy-rich Santa Cruz - home to about 25% of Bolivia's population - have demanded more control over their resources.
They feel threatened by a draft constitution that proposes to limit large land holdings.They feel threatened by a draft constitution that proposes to limit large land holdings.
Autonomy referendums are planned in several other departments. The BBC's South America correspondent, Daniel Schweimler, says there is little doubt that Santa Cruz residents will agree overwhelmingly to more distance from the central government.
The question, our correspondent adds, is what happens next. Three other eastern provinces have said they too will vote on greater autonomy.
Though the vote has fuelled fears of violence, the government has ruled out sending security forces and has asked indigenous groups and other government supporters not to interfere.
Opposition to Mr Morales stems from a reform programme that would grant greater powers and a bigger share of Bolivia's land and resources to the country's indigenous majority.