Bolivia's Tarija votes overwhelmingly for autonomy

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

TARIJA (AFP) — Gas-rich Tarija province on Sunday voted overwhelmingly in favor of greater autonomy from the central government of President Evo Morales, ATB television reported, based on exit polls.

According to ATB's estimate, 80.3 percent of Tarija voters chose the "yes" ballot on the questionnaire, making their province the fourth in Bolivia to back greater autonomy from the Morales government.

The exit polls showed 19.7 percent voted against autonomy and 34.8 percent of the province's 173,000 registered voters abstained, ATB said.

In the township of Bermejo, where anti-autonomy sentiments ran high, the abstention rate was 47.8 percent, the television added.

Partial official results from the referendum are not expected until late Sunday, with...