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Ecuadoreans vote on key reforms Ecuadoreans vote on key reforms
(about 3 hours later)
People in Ecuador are voting in a referendum on whether to back President Rafael Correa's plans for a fundamental overhaul of the political system.People in Ecuador are voting in a referendum on whether to back President Rafael Correa's plans for a fundamental overhaul of the political system.
Mr Correa wants voters to approve the creation of a people's assembly to by-pass the existing congress and rewrite the constitution.Mr Correa wants voters to approve the creation of a people's assembly to by-pass the existing congress and rewrite the constitution.
His critics accuse him of being authoritarian and imitating the actions of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez.His critics accuse him of being authoritarian and imitating the actions of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez.
Recent opinion polls suggest Mr Correa will win the argument.Recent opinion polls suggest Mr Correa will win the argument.
The BBC's Will Grant, in Quito, says it seems people are so angry and disillusioned with what they perceive as a corrupt Congress, that the motion will be passed with a clear majority.The BBC's Will Grant, in Quito, says it seems people are so angry and disillusioned with what they perceive as a corrupt Congress, that the motion will be passed with a clear majority.
About 9.2m people are eligible to vote in the referendum which closes at 2200 GMT.About 9.2m people are eligible to vote in the referendum which closes at 2200 GMT.
'Well prepared''Well prepared'
The debate has turned personal with critics of President Correa making accusations of drug-running in his family.The debate has turned personal with critics of President Correa making accusations of drug-running in his family.
Voters in Ecuador give their views on the proposalsIn pictures Mr Correa admitted his father was arrested for carrying drugs into the US 40 years ago.Voters in Ecuador give their views on the proposalsIn pictures Mr Correa admitted his father was arrested for carrying drugs into the US 40 years ago.
But he said: "I lived through this and these people are not delinquents. They are single mothers or unemployed people who are desperate to feed their families."But he said: "I lived through this and these people are not delinquents. They are single mothers or unemployed people who are desperate to feed their families."
Many of his critics have accused him of trying to increase his power and following in the footsteps of President Chavez who has brought in controversial reforms in Venezuela.Many of his critics have accused him of trying to increase his power and following in the footsteps of President Chavez who has brought in controversial reforms in Venezuela.
Former president Oswaldo Hurtado said of the referendum: "It's not a project for a better democracy. It's a project to accumulate power. All dictators always have had constitutions made to fit them."Former president Oswaldo Hurtado said of the referendum: "It's not a project for a better democracy. It's a project to accumulate power. All dictators always have had constitutions made to fit them."
Lawmakers sacked
Mr Correa has not spelt out exactly what he wants from a new constitution but has indicated that Congress, controlled by traditional political parties, should not appoint judges and electoral officials.Mr Correa has not spelt out exactly what he wants from a new constitution but has indicated that Congress, controlled by traditional political parties, should not appoint judges and electoral officials.
The assembly would be elected within three months and have six months to draft the constitution. The document would then be put to a second referendum.The assembly would be elected within three months and have six months to draft the constitution. The document would then be put to a second referendum.
"It will be a constitution that depoliticises the courts and control authorities, decentralises the state," Mr Correa said, adding he would quit and "go home" if there was a "no" vote."It will be a constitution that depoliticises the courts and control authorities, decentralises the state," Mr Correa said, adding he would quit and "go home" if there was a "no" vote.
The BBC's Daniel Schweimler, in Quito, says President Correa is taking a bold gamble in a country that has seen eight presidents in the past 10 years.The BBC's Daniel Schweimler, in Quito, says President Correa is taking a bold gamble in a country that has seen eight presidents in the past 10 years.
But our correspondent says the political system in Ecuador is fragile and the president believes only radical measures will win back the people's faith in their politicians.But our correspondent says the political system in Ecuador is fragile and the president believes only radical measures will win back the people's faith in their politicians.
Lawmakers sacked President Correa has said he is confident of victory
International monitors say the referendum has been well prepared.International monitors say the referendum has been well prepared.
The head of the observer mission from the Organisation of American States, Enrique Correa, said: "From the technical point of view... the vote should not run into any problems."The head of the observer mission from the Organisation of American States, Enrique Correa, said: "From the technical point of view... the vote should not run into any problems."
However, the referendum has already sparked a political crisis in the country.However, the referendum has already sparked a political crisis in the country.
An electoral court sacked 57 lawmakers in March for trying to block it.An electoral court sacked 57 lawmakers in March for trying to block it.
When the dismissals were ruled illegal, police prevented the legislators returning to their offices and the deputies were kicked and punched by Correa supporters.When the dismissals were ruled illegal, police prevented the legislators returning to their offices and the deputies were kicked and punched by Correa supporters.