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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 an unofficial referendum on plans to give it more autonomy from central government. | |
The authorities in La Paz have declared the vote illegal, and say they will ignore the results. | |
Voting has so far been peaceful, but correspondents say the poll is threatening to split the country. | |
Many in what is Bolivia's richest province are critical of left-wing President Evo Morales. | |
President Morales has promised radical reforms that he hopes will lead Bolivia, the poorest country in South America, out of poverty. | |
He is backed by the country's large indigenous community, but many in the oil and gas-rich eastern provinces oppose his policies. | |
Fears of violence | |
Leaders in Santa Cruz - home to about 25% of Bolivia's population - have demanded more control over their resources. | |
Poll sparks crisis fears | Poll sparks crisis fears |
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. |
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. |