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Ecuador votes over constitution Ecuador's Correa claims poll win
(about 9 hours later)
The people of Ecuador have gone to the polls to vote on a new constitution. Ecuadorian voters have convincingly approved a new constitution that increases presidential powers, exit polls indicate.
President Rafael Correa says it will tackle political instability and make Ecuador a more just society. They say it was backed by at least two-thirds of voters. Left-wing President Rafael Correa hailed an "historic win".
It will enable Mr Correa to run for two new, consecutive terms, and let him dissolve Congress within the first three years of its four-year term. He has said the new constitution will help bring about a more just society and tackle instability in Ecuador.
Critics say it will focus more power in the left-wing leader's hands. The 444-article constitution will be the Andean nation's 20th, if approved. It will enable him to run for two new, consecutive terms. But critics say it gives the president too much power.
The package contains some of the most wide-ranging proposals the country - any country in the region - has ever seen, says the BBC's Daniel Schweimler. The constitution allows him to dissolve Congress within the first three years of its four-year term.
The 444-article constitution will be the Andean nation's 20th.
The package contains some of the most wide-ranging proposals the country - or any country in the region - has ever seen, says the BBC's Daniel Schweimler.
Investors worriedInvestors worried
The almost 10 million-strong electorate is being asked for a simple "Yes" or "No" answer.
President Correa, a 45-year-old US-trained economist, says he is fulfilling the promises he made when he won elections nearly two years ago.President Correa, a 45-year-old US-trained economist, says he is fulfilling the promises he made when he won elections nearly two years ago.
He was elected following years of turmoil in Ecuador which saw angry crowds throw three presidents from office in the previous 10 years.He was elected following years of turmoil in Ecuador which saw angry crowds throw three presidents from office in the previous 10 years.
KEY POINTS Tightening controls of vital industries and reducing monopolies Declaring some foreign loans illegitimateExpropriating and redistributing idle farm landAllowing the president to stand for a second four-year term in office Giving free health care for older citizens Allowing civil marriage for gay partners The poor bank on referendumKEY POINTS Tightening controls of vital industries and reducing monopolies Declaring some foreign loans illegitimateExpropriating and redistributing idle farm landAllowing the president to stand for a second four-year term in office Giving free health care for older citizens Allowing civil marriage for gay partners The poor bank on referendum
The articles in the proposed constitution include plans to tighten control of vital industries such as oil and mining.The articles in the proposed constitution include plans to tighten control of vital industries such as oil and mining.
Some foreign loans could be declared illegitimate so they would not have to be paid and there are plans to give free health care to older citizens.Some foreign loans could be declared illegitimate so they would not have to be paid and there are plans to give free health care to older citizens.
President Correa is offering more say in the running of the country to women, the poor and Ecuador's large indigenous community.President Correa is offering more say in the running of the country to women, the poor and Ecuador's large indigenous community.
He says he is trying to reduce the power and influence of the business and land-owning elite which has always run the country and, according to him, run it badly. He says he is trying to reduce the power and influence of the business and land-owning elite which has always run the country.
Not surprisingly, there is opposition to the proposals, says our South America correspondent. Not surprisingly, there has been opposition to the proposals, says our South America correspondent.
Some say that Mr Correa is a puppet of the Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez, that he will be concentrating too much power in his own hands and that the state will interfere unnecessarily in business affairs, our correspondent says. Some say Mr Correa is a puppet of the Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez, and that the state will interfere unnecessarily in business affairs.
Foreign investors, especially in Ecuador's oil industry, will be concerned that the new laws will reduce their profits and that the country will not pay its foreign debts, he says. Foreign investors, especially in Ecuador's oil industry, are concerned that the new laws will reduce their profits and that the country will not pay its foreign debts, he says.
The US, he adds, will be worried about what many there see as another move to the left in Latin America.The US, he adds, will be worried about what many there see as another move to the left in Latin America.
But opinion polls suggest that Sunday's "Yes" vote will win with anything between 55% to 60% of the vote.
The "Yes" campaign needs 50% plus one for victory.