Morales faces defeat in bid to alter constitution

With 82 per cent of the votes counted in this week’s Bolivian referendum, President Evo Morales appeared to have lost his bid to stand for a fourth term in office, writes Isabel de Bertodano. Those opposed to his proposed constitutional amendment were leading by 8.4 percentage points.

Mr Morales, Bolivia’s first head of state of indigenous origin, said he would respect the result but accused right-wing sectors of waging a “dirty war”. The Government said rural votes usually arrive later to count centres and could make a difference for the “Yes” vote.

Mr Morales took office in January 2006. His current term ends in 2020 but the change would have let him run for re-election in 2019 and potentially remain in power until 2025.

Before the referendum Bolivia’s bishops said people must be allowed to vote without “coercion or threats”, but it took place in an atmosphere of uncertainty and violence.

“We all have a duty and a right to vote,” said the bishops, adding that the issue at stake “is extremely important and goes beyond any individual or personal interest”.