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Morales dismisses autonomy vote | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Bolivian President Evo Morales has rejected an autonomy vote by the resource-rich Santa Cruz region, saying the unofficial referendum was illegal. | |
But he also called for dialogue with opposition governors, as three other states prepare for autonomy votes. | |
Partial results from Santa Cruz suggest more than 80% of voters backed plans to give their region more powers. | |
The poll pitted the region's mixed-race elite against the president's indigenous supporters. | |
An official count of 22% of the ballots showed 82% had voted to give the region more control over its resources, the AFP news agency reported. | |
'Historic act' | |
The vote triggered noisy celebrations in Santa Cruz. | |
The region's Governor, Ruben Costas, called the result "the most important act of our republican history". | |
"You all with your vote have consolidated the beginning of the most important structural reform of our country," he said. | |
But in a national address after voting had finished, Mr Morales stressed the high levels of abstention - and called for opposition state governors to engage in dialogue with the government. | |
The president said he would ignore the results. | |
"This illegal and unconstitutional vote didn't have the success hoped for by certain families," he said, referring to landowners from Santa Cruz who helped organise the poll. | "This illegal and unconstitutional vote didn't have the success hoped for by certain families," he said, referring to landowners from Santa Cruz who helped organise the poll. |
Many in Santa Cruz are critical of Bolivia's left-wing president. | Many in Santa Cruz are critical of Bolivia's left-wing president. |
He wants the country's wealthier eastern regions to contribute more to the poorer west, where the bulk of his indigenous supporters come from. | He wants the country's wealthier eastern regions to contribute more to the poorer west, where the bulk of his indigenous supporters come from. |
Land holdings | Land holdings |
Mr Morales has promised radical reforms that he hopes will lead Bolivia, the poorest country in South America, out of poverty. | Mr Morales has promised radical reforms that he hopes will lead Bolivia, the poorest country in South America, out of poverty. |
Leaders in Santa Cruz - home to about 25% of Bolivia's population - have demanded more local control over their resources. | Leaders in Santa Cruz - home to about 25% of Bolivia's population - have demanded more local control over their resources. |
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 proposals voted on in Sunday's poll include giving Santa Cruz more control over land distribution - and rich oil and gas reserves. | The proposals voted on in Sunday's poll include giving Santa Cruz more control over land distribution - and rich oil and gas reserves. |
They also provide for the creation of a local police force. | They also provide for the creation of a local police force. |
Much of Sunday's voting was calm, but violence broke out in poorer areas as supporters of Mr Morales burnt ballot papers and ransacked polling stations. | Much of Sunday's voting was calm, but violence broke out in poorer areas as supporters of Mr Morales burnt ballot papers and ransacked polling stations. |
One polling station was reported to have been destroyed, while elsewhere opponents of the referendum threw stones and clashed with those wanting to vote. | One polling station was reported to have been destroyed, while elsewhere opponents of the referendum threw stones and clashed with those wanting to vote. |
At least 20 people were injured, officials said, and unconfirmed reports said one man had died as police fired tear gas into a crowd. | At least 20 people were injured, officials said, and unconfirmed reports said one man had died as police fired tear gas into a crowd. |
The BBC's South America correspondent, Daniel Schweimler, said the result was always going to be in favour of greater autonomy since the opposition had said they would boycott the vote. | The BBC's South America correspondent, Daniel Schweimler, said the result was always going to be in favour of greater autonomy since the opposition had said they would boycott the vote. |
The question, our correspondent adds, is what happens next. Three other eastern provinces have said they too will vote on greater autonomy. | The question, our correspondent adds, is what happens next. Three other eastern provinces have said they too will vote on greater autonomy. |