Morales expected to win in Bolivian polls

Bolivia's President Evo Morales on Sunday seemed set to win an unprecedented third term as voters went to the polls in presidential and congressional elections.

Six million Bolivians are eligible to cast ballots in the elections for all seats in the 26-member Senate and 130-member Chamber of Deputies.

Pre-election surveys have shown the 55-year-old Morales with 59 percent support, more than 40 percent ahead of his closest competitors: cement and fast-food magnate Samuel Doria Medina and former president Jorge Quiroga.

It is the first time in Bolivia that a sitting president has stood for a third term. The Supreme Court ruled last year that a constitution newly drawn up in 2009, which stipulates a maximum of two five-year terms, did not apply to Morales' first period in office, which began in 2006.

Leftist reforms

Morales, who is Bolivia's first indigenous president, rose to prominence as the leader of a union representing the rights of coca growers. In the eight years he has been in power, he and his Movement Toward Socialism party have overseen the nationalization of many sectors, including oil, gas, mining, telecommunications and water.

Taking advantage of soaring export revenues generated by a boom in commodities prices, he has also introduced new welfare grants for children, the elderly, and expectant mothers, measures that have contributed to his popularity among poorer social groups - reflected in the number of stadiums, markets, schools and other institutions named in his honor.

The country saw a growth in GDP of 6.8 percent last year and more than five percent growth is expected this year as well, one of the fastest rates in Latin America. Despite the economic expansion, however, the country remains among the poorest in the region.

Although focusing strongly on environmental issues, Morales has faced criticism from conservationists and some former indigenous allies by supporting mining and plans for a highway cutting through an indigenous reserve.

His anti-imperialist stance has led him to distance himself from the United States, and turn instead to other countries tending to be hostile toward Washington, such as Cuba, Venezuela and Iran.

Alcohol consumption has been banned 48 hours before and 12 hours after Sunday's elections, and the carrying of firearms has also been prohibited for the duration of the voting, due to end at 4:00 pm local time (2000 UTC).

First unofficial results are expected by 8 p.m. local time (2400 UTC).

tj/jm (AP, AFP)