Bolivia Votes On New Constitution
Lima - Bolivians went to the polls on Sunday to vote on a new
constitution which would give more power to the country's indigenous
majority, promote reform on agricultural land and allow President
Evo Morales to seek re-election for another term.
Polls showed the highest support for Morales was from people in the
western highlands where Indians are a majority, while people from
other races and classes would probably reject the charter, according
to news reports from La Paz, Bolivia's administrative capital.
The new Bolivian Constitution aims to give everybody the same
opportunities, the same rights and the same duties, said Morales,
the country's first Indian president who took office in 2006.
A Bolivian woman casts her ballot of the referendum on the new
constitution in La Paz, capital of Bolivia, Jan. 25, 2009. A
referendum called by Bolivian President Evo Morales on ratification
of his constitutional reform kicked off on Jan. 25. (Xinhua/Bao
Feifei)
Under the new constitution, the indigenous majority in the South
American nation will gain greater political power and benefit more
from the vital natural gas industry.
The new constitution proposes limiting land holding to 5,000
hectares or 10,000 hectares, which was fiercely opposed by the
landholders in the eastern region. It would also boost indigenous
rights by recognizing the rights of 36 indigenous groups to control
their land and claim more rights on natural resources.
Morales lauded the constitution as the cornerstone of his agenda to
improve the balance of power in favor of Bolivian Indians.
A Bolivian man casts his ballot of the referendum on the new
constitution in La Paz, capital of Bolivia, Jan. 25, 2009. A
referendum called by Bolivian President Evo Morales on ratification
of his constitutional reform kicked off on Jan. 25. (Xinhua/Bao
Feifei)
If approved, a general election is expected in December in which
Morales could run for a second five-year term.
Should the constitution pass, Bolivia's smaller indigenous groups
will gain seats in the congress which would result in debates on how
to split power between the Indian and eastern-states' autonomies.
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