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Bolivians vote on Indian rights Bolivians 'back new constitution'
(30 minutes later)
Bolivia have voted in a referendum on a new constitution that President Evo Morales says will empower the country's indigenous majority. Exit polls suggest Bolivia has approved a new constitution backed by President Evo Morales that he says will empower the country's indigenous majority.
The changes also include strengthening state control of Bolivia's natural resources, and no longer recognising Catholicism as the official religion. Polls for some TV stations put the yes vote in the referendum at about 60%.
Early TV exit poll results suggested the constitution would be approved. Planned reforms including greater state control of natural resources, reductions in future land holdings and the creation of state assemblies.
Mr Morales, an Aymara Indian, has pursued political reform but has met fierce resistance from some sectors.Mr Morales, an Aymara Indian, has pursued political reform but has met fierce resistance from some sectors.
Opponents concentrated in Bolivia's eastern provinces, which hold rich gas deposits, argue that the new constitution would create two classes of citizenship - putting indigenous people ahead of others.Opponents concentrated in Bolivia's eastern provinces, which hold rich gas deposits, argue that the new constitution would create two classes of citizenship - putting indigenous people ahead of others.
The wrangling has spilled over into, at times, deadly violence.The wrangling has spilled over into, at times, deadly violence.
At least 30 peasant farmers were ambushed and killed on their way home from a pro-government rally in a northern region in September.At least 30 peasant farmers were ambushed and killed on their way home from a pro-government rally in a northern region in September.
President Morales has said the new constitution will pave the way for correcting the historic inequalities of Bolivian society, where the economic elite is largely of European descent.President Morales has said the new constitution will pave the way for correcting the historic inequalities of Bolivian society, where the economic elite is largely of European descent.
The new constitution will give the indigenous community a chance to have a greater say in what happens to their country's natural resources.The new constitution will give the indigenous community a chance to have a greater say in what happens to their country's natural resources.
Crucial concessionsCrucial concessions
Exit polls conducted by Bolivian TV networks suggested some 60% of voters had backed the constitution.
But another, private, poll of actual votes cast put the margin somewhat closer, at 50.5% yes to 49.5% no, the Associated Press reported. Those votes did not include rural areas, which are strongly pro-Morales.
Bolivia's Congress approved the referendum in October but only after Mr Morales agreed to make a number of concessions.Bolivia's Congress approved the referendum in October but only after Mr Morales agreed to make a number of concessions.
Evo Morales has been trying to reform Bolivia's since being electedCrucially, this included an agreement by Mr Morales to seek only one more five-year term. If re-elected, he would have to leave office in 2014. Evo Morales has been trying to reform Bolivia since being electedCrucially, this included an agreement by Mr Morales to seek only one more five-year term. If re-elected, he would have to leave office in 2014.
The new constitution also includes a bill of rights, including a chapter dedicated to Bolivia's 36 indigenous peoples.The new constitution also includes a bill of rights, including a chapter dedicated to Bolivia's 36 indigenous peoples.
It increases state control over the economy, limits the size of big land holdings and redistributes revenues from the important gas fields in the east to poorer parts of the nation.It increases state control over the economy, limits the size of big land holdings and redistributes revenues from the important gas fields in the east to poorer parts of the nation.
Indigenous people would be granted autonomy over their traditional lands and a "priority" share of the revenue from natural resources. But many of the areas where natural resources are found are governed by the opposition and would also be granted greater autonomy.Indigenous people would be granted autonomy over their traditional lands and a "priority" share of the revenue from natural resources. But many of the areas where natural resources are found are governed by the opposition and would also be granted greater autonomy.
Analysts say it remains unclear how some of the constitution's articles can be reconciled.Analysts say it remains unclear how some of the constitution's articles can be reconciled.
So although a Yes vote is widely expected, there is likely to be continued opposition to the constitution as it goes through parliament, says the BBC's Candace Piette in La Paz. Despite the Yes vote, there is likely to be continued opposition to the constitution as it goes through parliament, says the BBC's Candace Piette in La Paz.
The referendum will be followed by elections for president, vice-president and Congress in December.The referendum will be followed by elections for president, vice-president and Congress in December.