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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Bolivian regions 'back autonomy' | Bolivian regions 'back autonomy' |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Two Bolivian provinces have voted overwhelmingly in favour of regional autonomy, exit polls suggest. | |
| More than 80% of voters in the lowland agricultural provinces of Beni and Pando opted for autonomy measures, the polls for the ATB TV channel indicate. | |
| The vote was organised by opponents of left-wing President Evo Morales. Clashes broke out in some towns between autonomy backers and his supporters. | |
| Bolivia's interior minister dismissed the polls as illegal and separatist. | Bolivia's interior minister dismissed the polls as illegal and separatist. |
| Alfredo Rada, speaking at the presidential palace, said they were unconstitutional and had only served to fuel internal division. | |
| Four weeks ago, a similar referendum was held in Bolivia's richest province, Santa Cruz, where nearly 90% supported autonomy. | Four weeks ago, a similar referendum was held in Bolivia's richest province, Santa Cruz, where nearly 90% supported autonomy. |
| Analysts say the votes reflect the hostility of the country's business and land-owning elite towards Mr Morales, Bolivia's first president of indigenous descent, who is pushing for land reform measures. | |
| Another autonomy vote is planned for 22 June in Tarija, which has major gas reserves. | |
| Recall vote | Recall vote |
| Several people were reported injured in scattered skirmishes in Trinidad, state capital of Beni, on Sunday. | |
| Ballot boxes were also burnt in protests in the small town of Filadelfia, in Pando province, according to local media. | |
| Final results in the ballots are not expected for five days, electoral officials said. | |
| The president, who has more than two years left in office, faces a recall referendum on his leadership in August. | The president, who has more than two years left in office, faces a recall referendum on his leadership in August. |
| If successful in the ballot, Mr Morales says he wants to hold a public referendum on a draft constitution which has been awaiting approval since last year. | If successful in the ballot, Mr Morales says he wants to hold a public referendum on a draft constitution which has been awaiting approval since last year. |
| The constitution aims to enshrine reforms such as land redistribution to Bolivia's indigenous majority and sharing of wealth with the poorer western regions. | The constitution aims to enshrine reforms such as land redistribution to Bolivia's indigenous majority and sharing of wealth with the poorer western regions. |
| However, critics say it cedes too much control to the government in La Paz. | However, critics say it cedes too much control to the government in La Paz. |
| Mr Morales's opponents in the eastern states - home to a large part of Bolivia's oil and gas deposits - argue that his plans would unfairly privilege indigenous groups and would mean greater central control, including two consecutive five-year terms for the president. | Mr Morales's opponents in the eastern states - home to a large part of Bolivia's oil and gas deposits - argue that his plans would unfairly privilege indigenous groups and would mean greater central control, including two consecutive five-year terms for the president. |