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Morales 're-elected' in Bolivia Morales 're-elected' in Bolivia
(9 minutes later)
Bolivian President Evo Morales has been re-elected for a second term after a securing a convincing victory in Sunday's polls, exit polls suggest.Bolivian President Evo Morales has been re-elected for a second term after a securing a convincing victory in Sunday's polls, exit polls suggest.
They suggest Bolivia's first indigenous leader polled at least 61% of the vote, defeating his conservative rivals.They suggest Bolivia's first indigenous leader polled at least 61% of the vote, defeating his conservative rivals.
Mr Morales had promised to expand state control over the economy and redistribute profits from the gas industry if re-elected.Mr Morales had promised to expand state control over the economy and redistribute profits from the gas industry if re-elected.
A referendum earlier backed changes to allow presidents to seek a second term.A referendum earlier backed changes to allow presidents to seek a second term.
'Totalitarian' ambitions
Mr Morales, 50, won between 61% and 63% of the vote, avoiding a run-off, the exit polls suggest.
They indicate that his main rival Manfred Reyes Villa, a former governor, secured about 23%.
Official results are expected in the coming days.
Mr Morales's support base is chiefly among poor indigenous people who account for some 65% of the population - in contrast to his challengers.Mr Morales's support base is chiefly among poor indigenous people who account for some 65% of the population - in contrast to his challengers.
Correspondents say a victory for Mr Morales will solidify his dominance in Bolivian politics and weaken the split conservative opposition tied to the business elite.Correspondents say a victory for Mr Morales will solidify his dominance in Bolivian politics and weaken the split conservative opposition tied to the business elite.
His leading challengers were Manfred Reyes Villa, a former governor, and Samuel Doria Medina, a wealthy businessman. His other challenger was Samuel Doria Medina, a wealthy businessman.
They accused Mr Morales of having "totalitarian" ambitions for the country and of being responsible for the rise in cocaine production, says the BBC's Andres Schipani in La Paz. Both challengers accused Mr Morales of having "totalitarian" ambitions for the country and of being responsible for the rise in cocaine production, says the BBC's Andres Schipani in La Paz.
Mr Morales told crowds at his final campaign rally: "There are two roads: continue with change or return to the past."Mr Morales told crowds at his final campaign rally: "There are two roads: continue with change or return to the past."


Are you in Bolivia? What would an Evo Morales victory mean for the country? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in Bolivia? What would an Evo Morales victory mean for the country? Send us your comments using the form below.
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