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Bolivia election: Evo Morales claims third term win Bolivia election: Leaders congratulate Morales on 'win'
(about 3 hours later)
Bolivia's President Evo Morales has claimed victory and a third term in office after presidential elections. Left-wing Latin American leaders have congratulated Bolivian President Evo Morales, who has claimed victory and a third term in office after presidential elections held on Sunday.
"This win is a triumph for anti-imperialists and anti-colonialists," he told cheering supporters at the presidential palace in La Paz. The presidents of Argentina, Nicaragua, Uruguay and Venezuela expressed their good wishes to Mr Morales.
Exit polls show him on 60%, well ahead of his rivals, as votes are counted. Exit polls show him on 60%, well ahead of his closest rival's 25% of the vote.
To avoid a run-off, Mr Morales must win 50% of valid votes, or 40% if that includes a 10-point lead over his nearest rival. To avoid a run-off, he must win 50% of valid votes, or 40% if that includes a 10-point lead over his nearest rival.
Mr Morales has overseen strong economic growth since taking office in 2006 and has been widely tipped to win. 'Carry on winning'
He has presided over a a period of economic growth and reduced poverty, using Bolivia's commodity wealth to reduce poverty levels. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega said Mr Morales's lead in the exit polls was proof of "the vigour of the liberation process in the region".
Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and Uruguayan leader Jose Mujica both called Mr Morales to personally congratulate him.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro wrote a series of messages on his Twitter account (in Spanish) celebrating Mr Morales's lead.
"Evo, a great victory of the South American homeland, from Venezuela we send you a hug and congratulations, let's carry on winning!" he wrote.
Salvadorean President Salvador Sanchez Ceren tweeted that the election "strengthens democracy, Bolivia continues building hope for Latin America and the world".
'Anti-imperialist triumph'
President Morales told cheering supporters at the presidential palace in La Paz that "this win is a triumph for anti-imperialists and anti-colonialists".
He dedicated "this triumph" to the Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro and Venezuela's late president, Hugo Chavez.
Mr Morales has overseen strong economic growth since taking office in 2006, using Bolivia's commodity wealth to reduce poverty levels.
But he has been criticised for failing to halt corruption.But he has been criticised for failing to halt corruption.
Mr Morales's party, the Movement Toward Socialism, is also expected to make gains and win a strong majority in Congress.
The poll passed without major incident, according to the electoral authorities and foreign observers.
Analysis: Ignacio de los Reyes, BBC NewsAnalysis: Ignacio de los Reyes, BBC News
Evo Morales became the first indigenous president in 2006 and is even more popular now, and not only among his Aymara ethnic group.Evo Morales became the first indigenous president in 2006 and is even more popular now, and not only among his Aymara ethnic group.
He won the trust of many thanks to Bolivia's good economic performance. Supermarkets, cinemas and restaurants are popping up everywhere.He won the trust of many thanks to Bolivia's good economic performance. Supermarkets, cinemas and restaurants are popping up everywhere.
The new cable car in La Paz is perhaps the best example of the changing times in Bolivia, which remains one of the poorest countries in the region.The new cable car in La Paz is perhaps the best example of the changing times in Bolivia, which remains one of the poorest countries in the region.
It connects La Paz with the satellite city of El Alto, home to thousands of migrants. There, a monument to Che Guevara sits next to a brand new shopping centre, surrounded by thousands of poorly built stalls selling counterfeit products.It connects La Paz with the satellite city of El Alto, home to thousands of migrants. There, a monument to Che Guevara sits next to a brand new shopping centre, surrounded by thousands of poorly built stalls selling counterfeit products.
Economic growth Mr Morales's critics have accused him of using millions of dollars in government cash to fund his re-election campaign and say that this has helped create a fractured opposition.
Since 2006, Mr Morales's government has focused on education subsidies, increased pensions and spending on public works. They say he has also introduced measures which are harmful to the environment.
He has been boosted by a boom in commodities prices that has helped propel export revenues nine-fold. Heading into the elections, Mr Morales's closest rival was Samuel Doria Medina, who vowed to clean up the judiciary if elected.
The revenue has helped fund policies that have created an average annual economic growth of 5%, well above the regional average. Exit polls suggest he is trailing well behind Mr Morales, with 25% of the vote.
It has also funded public works projects, including a cable car system for the capital, La Paz. Mr Morales's party, the Movement Toward Socialism, is expected to make gains and win a strong majority in Congress.
Some 500,000 people have been taken out of poverty. If Mr Morales maintains his two-thirds control of the Senate and assembly, this could could allow him to alter the constitution to permit a fourth term in office.
The oil, gas, mining, telecommunications and water sectors have all been nationalised. He has already benefited from a court ruling that permitted him to run for a third term.
Mr Morales's critics say he has introduced measures which are harmful to the environment and presided over a corrupt administration.
He is also accused of using millions of dollars in government cash to fund his re-election campaign and that this has helped create a fractured opposition.
Heading into the elections, Samuel Doria Medina was Mr Morales' closest rival.
Mr Doria Medina vowed to clean up the judiciary if elected.
Mr Morales will want to maintain his two-thirds control of Bolivia's Senate and assembly, which are also holding elections.
This could allow him to alter the constitution to permit a fourth term in office.
Mr Morales has already benefited from a court ruling that permitted him to run for a third term.