Bolivians back constitutional reforms

According to early exit polls and an unofficial quick count, Bolivian voters on Sunday supported several government-backed constitution changes.

Based on these early figures, it appears as if Bolivians approve several key constitutional changes including larger indigenous representation in the government, the direct election of judges to Bolivia’s highest court and a second reelection for President Evo Morales. Aside from politics, the draft constitution expands freedom of religion beyond the Catholic Church, bans water from being privately controlled, and prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation.

"A new country is being founded for all Bolivians”, extolled Morales at a rally held around the presidential palace tonight. Yet figures showing that the referendum was defeated in opposition strongholds led anti-Morales governors to claim that the constitution lacks sufficient support nationwide.

As the BBC News noted, the draft constitution considered in today’s referendum was watered down from its original version in order to garner additional support:

The original draft of the constitution was more radical but Mr. Morales made concessions after violent protests against his rule, including a promise that he would not try to win a third term in 2014.

Under pressure from wealthy ranchers, who feared their farms would be broken up and handed over to the poor, Mr. Morales also revised the charter so that limits on land holdings will only apply to future land sales.

Despite the results, Bolivia’s deep racial, economic, and geographic divisions aren’t expected to be healed any time soon.

Image- AP (“An Aymara Indian woman holds her ballot before casting it at a polling station in the coca growing village of Villa 14 de Septiembre in central Bolivia, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2009.”)
Online Sources- AFP, IHT, AP, Reuters, BBC News