The people of Bolivia are set to vote on whether they want President Evo Morales and eight regional governors to remain in office.

The recall referendum was organised to consolidate the leaders in office amid growing divisions over the president's attempts to reform the constitution.

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Protests have been increasing in the run-up to the referendum.

Deep divisions

The country has become increasingly divided between rich and poor, east and west over the president's plans to radically reorganise the way Bolivia is run.

He wants to give poor and indigenous communities and women a greater voice, he wants to redistribute land in what is South America's poorest country.

But many in the gas and oil-rich east of the country oppose the president's proposals and have responded by calling for greater autonomy from central government.

The dispute sometimes breaks out in violence and last week Evo Morales had to cancel two planned trips when angry protesters blocked regional airports.

Opinion polls suggest that President Morales will remain in office but that two or three of the regional governors may be under threat.

However, analysts say the recall referendum, whatever the result, is unlikely to solve Bolivia's problems since its divisions are so deeply ingrained.

(BBC)

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