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Bolivians back new Constitution - exit polls

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Around 60% of Bolivians have voted for a new left-wing Constitution which will hand more power to the country's Indian population and introduce more economic and land reforms, national television reported citing exit polls.
BUENOS AIRES, January 26 (RIA Novosti) - Around 60% of Bolivians have voted for a new left-wing Constitution which will hand more power to the country's Indian population and introduce more economic and land reforms, national television reported citing exit polls.

President Evo Morales said the referendum would lead the Latin American country out of the current political rivalry between the central and regional powers and give more power to the Indian-dominated western part of the nation of some 3.8 million people who voted.

The referendum will see the indigenous Indian majority gain more seats in the country's government and influence within the legal system, as well as promoting their languages and customs.

Western Bolivia is home to the country's largest gas reserves (85%) contributing 80% to the nation's GDP and is also home to almost 70% of the population.

The controversial Constitution includes a program of land redistribution from the country's rich to the indigenous population and more income from Bolivia's natural gas will be channeled to the most impoverished people in the nation which has the lowest GDP per capita of any South American state.

Morales, who came to power in 2005 and is the country's first Aymara Indian president, said that the referendum was organized to "improve life for all Bolivians regardless of their skin color, gender, and political or religious orientation."

The new Constitution will also allow Morales to run for a second consecutive five-year term in presidential elections scheduled for December this year.

Morales is among a group of South American socialist leaders, which include Ecuador's President Rafael Correa and Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez, who have carried out changes to their country's Constitutions to extend their political power and gain control over natural resources.

Venezuela is due to hold a referendum next month proposed by the outspoken Chavez, who wants to gain the right to be reelected for an infinite number of terms.

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