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Ecuadoreans vote on key reforms Ecuador leader heads for vote win
(30 minutes later)
People in Ecuador have been voting in a referendum on whether to back President Rafael Correa's plans for a fundamental overhaul of the political system. Exit polls in Ecuador suggest voters have strongly backed President Rafael Correa's plans for a fundamental overhaul of the political system.
Mr Correa called on voters to approve the creation of a people's assembly to by-pass the existing congress and rewrite the constitution. A poll showed 78% support for a people's assembly that would by-pass Congress and rewrite the constitution.
His critics accuse him of being authoritarian and imitating the actions of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez. Mr Correa says reform of the system is essential but his critics accuse him of being authoritarian.
Recent opinion polls suggested Mr Correa would win the argument. Counting is expected to be a long process and official results will not be available for a number of days.
The BBC's Will Grant, in Quito, says it seems many people are so angry and disillusioned with what they perceive as a corrupt Congress, that the motion will be passed with a clear majority. Ahead of the vote the BBC's Will Grant, in Quito, said it seemed many people were so angry and disillusioned with what they perceived as a corrupt Congress that the motion would be passed with a clear majority.
About 9.2m people were eligible to vote in the referendum, which closed at 2200 GMT.About 9.2m people were eligible to vote in the referendum, which closed at 2200 GMT.
A CEDATOS-Gallup exit poll of 40,000 voters nationwide showed 78% in favour and 11.5% opposed.
'Well prepared''Well prepared'
The debate turned personal with critics of President Correa making accusations of drug-running in his family. The debate had 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 Hugo Chavez who has brought in controversial reforms in Venezuela.
Former Ecuador 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 Ecuador 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 sackedLawmakers 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.
President Correa has said he is confident of victoryPresident Correa has said he is confident of victory
"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.
International monitors said the referendum was well prepared.International monitors said the referendum was well prepared.
Ahead of voting, it had sparked a political crisis in the country.Ahead of voting, it had 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.