Bolivia: Tarija held "referendum" with low turnout

Caracas, Venezuela, 22 June 2008. Today, Bolivian Tarija region held a separatist private consultation -called referendum- with a low turnout. Governmental officials say only 34.8% approved the separatist consultation while 47% rejected it.  

On the other hand, Tarija separatist opposition stated that an exit poll and later TV polls showed an 80% of those citizen who voted today baked their autonomous proposal. This figure only represents 85,732 votes or 34,8% of the total local electorate of 173,231 voters. Such misleading figure- 80%-  is used to misinform the public and claim or celebrate victory. But a bigger figure - 87, 499 voters or 47% of the local electorate- did not approve or attended the separatist consultation.

As in previous private consultations in Beni, Pando, there were clashes between  supporters of the referendum and pro government groups that rejected it. According to official ABI, "Morales’ administration described as millionaire and illegal the referendum on the autonomous statute  held this Sunday in the Department of Tarija." Furthermore, President Evo Morales stated that the separatist prefects would resign shortly in order to avoid confronting the recall referendum due this year.

Sources: ABI, Unionradio, Telesur, BBC Mundo, VTV, Globovision,

Related stories: Evo Morales approves recall referenda on 10 August, Bolivia opposition calls referendum against President Evo Morales (Updated II), Bolivia: Beni and Pando to celebrate illegal separatist consultation tomorrow, Bolivia: Defiant Santa Cruz votes separatist referendum, Govt says fraud (Updated III)