Bolivians vote on recall Referenda amid minor disturbances

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Bolivians vote on recall Referenda amid minor disturbances

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Barquisimeto, Venezuela, 10 August 2008. Voting has started at Bolivia for the recall referendum on President, Vice President and eight Prefects (governors). Some minors incidents took place at Santa Cruz where rightist opposition students tried to deter voters from participating. Members of the Unión Juvenil Cruceñista and Federación Universitaria appeared armed with baseball bats at the 1 May zone. They distributed leaflets against President Evo Morales. Another incident took place at Yucumo where the referenda ballots had to be replaced after they were confiscated. 

According to OAS representative in Bolivia, Eduardo Steind, most polling station had already open in 9 departments. Bolivia President Evo Morales has already casted his vote at Chapare, Cochabanba at 9: 15 AM (Bolivian Local Time). Speaking to the pres at such occasion, President Morales confirmed the results of these recall referenda would change the political scene in Bolivian politics. Thus, Morales asked all political forces to respect the Referenda results. 

According to a ruling of the Bolivian Electoral Court, there are 4.047.686 entitled to vote. In addition, the opposition  needs to obtain over 53,7% of their no votes to recall both the President and Vice President. On the other hand, Prefects would be removed if the pro government vote is just over 50%.President Morales promised to address a message to the Bolivian nation tonight as soon as the first preliminary results are published. The referenda were the result of an opposition initiative against President Morales amid changes in the constitution.

More news to come.

Sources: ABI, Telesur, BBC, Los Tiempos, El Diario, El Deber, El Mundo, Correo del Sur,