Bolivian President Evo Morales agreed on Sunday to hold <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irregularities-in-disputed-bolivia-vote-should-hold-new-elections-organisation-of-american-states-261191">new presidential elections</a> after a damning report from the Organisation of American States (OAS) found serious irregularities in an October&nbsp;20 vote won by the leftist leader.

Morales' victory last month sparked widespread protests around the country.

The OAS report, issued earlier on Sunday, said the October vote should be annulled after it had found "clear manipulations" of the voting system that meant it could not verify the result.

Morales, speaking at a press conference in La Paz, also said he would replace the country's electoral body. The department has come under heavy criticism after an unexplained halt to the vote count sparked widespread allegations of fraud and prompted the OAS audit.

Morales, who came to power in 2006 as Bolivia's first indigenous leader, has defended his election win but had said he would adhere to the findings of the OAS audit.

The weeks-long standoff over the disputed election escalated over the weekend as police forces were seen joining anti-government protests and the military said it would not "confront the people" over the issue.

"The manipulations to the computer systems are of such magnitude that they must be deeply investigated by the Bolivian State to get to the bottom of and assign responsibility in this serious case," the preliminary OAS report said.

"The first round of the elections held on October 20 must be annulled and the electoral process must begin again," the OAS added in a separate statement.

Voting should take place as soon as conditions are in place to guarantee it being able to go ahead, including a newly composed electoral body, the OAS said.

The OAS added that it was statistically "unlikely" that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/protesters-seize-state-run-media-in-bolivia-as-tensions-soar-261099">Morales had secured the 10 percentage point</a> margin of victory needed to win outright.

In an outright win that had allowed Morales to avoid a riskier second-round run-off, he was declared the winner of the election with a lead of just over 10 points over his rival Carlos Mesa.

The protests erupted afterwards, particularly because of a nearly 24-hour halt during the vote count.

Bolivian President Evo Morales agreed on Sunday to hold new presidential elections after a damning report from the Organisation of American States (OAS) found serious irregularities in an October 20 vote won by the leftist leader.

Bolivian President Evo Morales agreed on Sunday to hold new presidential elections after a damning report from the Organisation of American States (OAS) found serious irregularities in an October 20 vote won by the leftist leader. Morales' victory last month sparked widespread protests around the country. The OAS report, issued earlier on Sunday, said the October vote should be annulled after it had found "clear manipulations" of the voting system that meant it could not verify the result. Morales, speaking at a press conference in La Paz, also said he would replace the country's electoral body. The department has come under heavy criticism after an unexplained halt to the vote count sparked widespread allegations of fraud and prompted the OAS audit. Morales, who came to power in 2006 as Bolivia's first indigenous leader, has defended his election win but had said he would adhere to the findings of the OAS audit. The weeks-long standoff over the disputed election escalated over the weekend as police forces were seen joining anti-government protests and the military said it would not "confront the people" over the issue. "The manipulations to the computer systems are of such magnitude that they must be deeply investigated by the Bolivian State to get to the bottom of and assign responsibility in this serious case," the preliminary OAS report said. "The first round of the elections held on October 20 must be annulled and the electoral process must begin again," the OAS added in a separate statement. Voting should take place as soon as conditions are in place to guarantee it being able to go ahead, including a newly composed electoral body, the OAS said. The OAS added that it was statistically "unlikely" that Morales had secured the 10 percentage point margin of victory needed to win outright. In an outright win that had allowed Morales to avoid a riskier second-round run-off, he was declared the winner of the election with a lead of just over 10 points over his rival Carlos Mesa. The protests erupted afterwards, particularly because of a nearly 24-hour halt during the vote count.

Bolivia's Morales agrees to new elections after damning OAS audit

The Organisation of American States recommended on Sunday that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/protesters-seize-state-run-media-in-bolivia-as-tensions-soar-261099">Bolivia hold new elections</a>, saying it had identified serious irregularities in the last vote that called into question the victory of President Evo Morales.

The international body said its audit of the October 20&nbsp;election had found "clear manipulations" of the voting system and it could not verify the result.

"The manipulations to the computer system are of such magnitude that they must be deeply investigated by the Bolivian State to get to the bottom of and assign responsibility in this serious case," the preliminary report said.

The OAS said it was not statistically likely that Morales had secured the 10 percentage point margin of victory needed to win outright and recommended Bolivia use new electoral authorities for any new vote.

"The first round of the elections held on October 20 must be annulled and the electoral process must begin again, with the first round taking place as soon as there are new conditions that give new guarantees for it to take place, including a newly composed electoral body," the OAS said in a press release.

Morales was declared the winner of the October election with a lead of just over 10 points over his rival Carlos Mesa, giving him an outright win. But there have been widespread protests since against the result after a near 24-hour halt in the count.

Morales, who came to power in 2006 as Bolivia’s first indigenous leader, has defended his election win but has said he would adhere to the findings of the OAS audit. He was expected to give a press conference on Sunday morning.

The weeks-long standoff over the disputed election escalated over the weekend as police forces were seen joining anti-government protests and the military said it would not "confront the people" over the issue.

Morales and his government have decried a "coup" against him by what they called "violent groups," prompting a number of fellow leftist leaders in the region, including Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, to rally around him and call for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

Morales' opponents, including Mesa and Luis Fernando Camacho, a civic leader from the eastern city of Santa Cruz who has become a symbol of the opposition, have repeatedly called for him to step down. Camacho said he plans to march to the government palace with a pre-written resignation letter for Morales to sign.

The Organisation of American States recommended on Sunday that Bolivia hold new elections, saying it had identified serious irregularities in the last vote that called into question the victory of President Evo Morales.

The Organisation of American States recommended on Sunday that Bolivia hold new elections, saying it had identified serious irregularities in the last vote that called into question the victory of President Evo Morales. The international body said its audit of the October 20 election had found "clear manipulations" of the voting system and it could not verify the result. "The manipulations to the computer system are of such magnitude that they must be deeply investigated by the Bolivian State to get to the bottom of and assign responsibility in this serious case," the preliminary report said. The OAS said it was not statistically likely that Morales had secured the 10 percentage point margin of victory needed to win outright and recommended Bolivia use new electoral authorities for any new vote. "The first round of the elections held on October 20 must be annulled and the electoral process must begin again, with the first round taking place as soon as there are new conditions that give new guarantees for it to take place, including a newly composed electoral body," the OAS said in a press release. Morales was declared the winner of the October election with a lead of just over 10 points over his rival Carlos Mesa, giving him an outright win. But there have been widespread protests since against the result after a near 24-hour halt in the count. Morales, who came to power in 2006 as Bolivia’s first indigenous leader, has defended his election win but has said he would adhere to the findings of the OAS audit. He was expected to give a press conference on Sunday morning. The weeks-long standoff over the disputed election escalated over the weekend as police forces were seen joining anti-government protests and the military said it would not "confront the people" over the issue. Morales and his government have decried a "coup" against him by what they called "violent groups," prompting a number of fellow leftist leaders in the region, including Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, to rally around him and call for a peaceful resolution to the crisis. Morales' opponents, including Mesa and Luis Fernando Camacho, a civic leader from the eastern city of Santa Cruz who has become a symbol of the opposition, have repeatedly called for him to step down. Camacho said he plans to march to the government palace with a pre-written resignation letter for Morales to sign.

Irregularities in disputed Bolivia vote, should hold new elections: Organisation of American States

Shops were shuttered and streets barricaded in the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz on Thursday (November 7) as opposition supporters go on strike to pressure President Evo Morales to resign over contentious election results, and with no end in sight to the deadlock, locals are finding it tough.

Bolivian city shuts down in protest amidst election tensions

A city mayor aligned to President Evo Morales was reportedly attacked with red paint and forced out of her town hall on Wednesday (November 6) amidst election unrest in the country.

Violence in Bolivia: Mayor attacked during protests

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/violence-in-bolivia-bolivia-mayor-attacked-during-protests-260680">Street&nbsp;clashes</a> broke out on Thursday among supporters and opponents of Bolivia's government armed with&nbsp;slingshots&nbsp;and&nbsp;dynamite&nbsp;as an opposition leader planned a march to pressure President Evo Morales to resign after disputed&nbsp;elections last month.

Luis Fernando Camacho, a civic leader from the eastern city of Santa Cruz who has become an icon of the opposition, appeared at rallies in the city earlier in the day calling for Morales to step down.

He plans to deliver a pre-written resignation letter for the leftist leader to sign, a symbolic move that has sparked an angry response from pro-government supporters and hardened the resolve of a split opposition.

"We will deliver this letter in unity. This letter is not from Santa Cruz; it is from all Bolivia and it will be approved by all&nbsp;Bolivians, because we all want to build a country with democracy and freedom," Camacho said at a rally.

It was not clear when Camacho would deliver the letter, though the government played down its significance on Thursday, saying it would be received as any other petition.

The government also slammed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/violent-protests-erupt-in-bolivia-against-evo-morales-260563">"shameful" violence </a>that led to scores being injured and one killed on Wednesday, blaming the&nbsp;clashes on the opposition as anger rose on both sides. A total of three people have died in the weeks-long protests.

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of La Paz on Thursday night as&nbsp;clashes broke out.

Images and television footage from Wednesday showed groups&nbsp;clashing around the country, with particular violence in the cities of Cochabamba and La Paz. A young man was confirmed killed, while images of a local mayor having her hair forcibly cut and being covered in red paint by anti-government supporters circulated widely.

Morales, whose October&nbsp;election&nbsp;win was marred by allegations of fraud after an abrupt halt in the vote count and an unusual swing in the leftist leader's favor, again blamed the opposition for unrest as he addressed supporters in the rural area of Cochabamba.

In a press conference on Thursday, Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera called on opposition leaders Carlos Mesa and Camacho to help stop the violence and heed an ongoing audit of the vote by the Organization of American States (OAS).

Government critics, however, pointed the finger at supporters of Morales.

Mesa, the runner-up in the October&nbsp;20 vote, who has been calling for Morales to step down, said on Twitter that a young man who died on Wednesday had been "murdered" by Morales supporters and blamed the government for stoking the violence.

Street clashes broke out on Thursday among supporters and opponents of Bolivia's government armed with slingshots and dynamite as an opposition leader planned a march to pressure President Evo Morales to resign after disputed elections last month.

Street clashes broke out on Thursday among supporters and opponents of Bolivia's government armed with slingshots and dynamite as an opposition leader planned a march to pressure President Evo Morales to resign after disputed elections last month. Luis Fernando Camacho, a civic leader from the eastern city of Santa Cruz who has become an icon of the opposition, appeared at rallies in the city earlier in the day calling for Morales to step down. He plans to deliver a pre-written resignation letter for the leftist leader to sign, a symbolic move that has sparked an angry response from pro-government supporters and hardened the resolve of a split opposition. "We will deliver this letter in unity. This letter is not from Santa Cruz; it is from all Bolivia and it will be approved by all Bolivians, because we all want to build a country with democracy and freedom," Camacho said at a rally. It was not clear when Camacho would deliver the letter, though the government played down its significance on Thursday, saying it would be received as any other petition. The government also slammed "shameful" violence that led to scores being injured and one killed on Wednesday, blaming the clashes on the opposition as anger rose on both sides. A total of three people have died in the weeks-long protests. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of La Paz on Thursday night as clashes broke out. Images and television footage from Wednesday showed groups clashing around the country, with particular violence in the cities of Cochabamba and La Paz. A young man was confirmed killed, while images of a local mayor having her hair forcibly cut and being covered in red paint by anti-government supporters circulated widely. Morales, whose October election win was marred by allegations of fraud after an abrupt halt in the vote count and an unusual swing in the leftist leader's favor, again blamed the opposition for unrest as he addressed supporters in the rural area of Cochabamba. In a press conference on Thursday, Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera called on opposition leaders Carlos Mesa and Camacho to help stop the violence and heed an ongoing audit of the vote by the Organization of American States (OAS). Government critics, however, pointed the finger at supporters of Morales. Mesa, the runner-up in the October 20 vote, who has been calling for Morales to step down, said on Twitter that a young man who died on Wednesday had been "murdered" by Morales supporters and blamed the government for stoking the violence.

Slingshots and dynamite as Bolivians clash over election

Tensions flared up in the street of La Paz on Tuesday (November 05) as protesters took to the streets to demand new elections amidst accusations of fraud in a recent vote that saw President Evo Morales green lighted for a fourth term in office.

Tear gas flies in Bolivia as angry protests erupt overnight for Morales' resignation

A civic leader urged Bolivians to "paralyse" government institutions and block the borders as protests sparked by the contentious election victory last month of President Evo Morales entered their third week on Monday (November 4).

Bolivian opposition leader calls for 'radical' strike action, blockades

The head of an international body auditing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-two-dead-in-bolivia-post-election-clashes-defence-minister-258986">Bolivia's disputed election results</a> resigned unexpectedly on Friday, casting further uncertainty over a vote that sparked deadly riots and delivered President Evo Morales a fourth term.

The chief of the technical mission from the Organisation of American States (OAS), Mexican Arturo Espinosa, announced he is stepping down from the role just a day after beginning the review of the controversial poll.

"I have decided to withdraw from the audit so as not to compromise its impartiality. I should have informed the OAS about previous public statements (declarations) about the electoral process in Bolivia," he wrote in a tweet.&nbsp;

An OAS spokeswoman later confirmed his resignation to AFP.

Espinosa wrote two articles related to Bolivia's elections for a Mexican news website in the past two weeks, including one,&nbsp;published after the election, which raised doubts over the poll's transparency.

The 20 October election result, ratified on Friday by Bolivia's own Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), saw Morales narrowly secure the 10-point gap needed to win outright,&nbsp;but only after an abrupt and unexplained shift in the vote count in his favor.

Opposition candidate Carlos Mesa criticised the TSE's latest result calculations, saying that they show Morales committed a "fraud" and "an aggression against the good faith of the international community."

The 66-year-old former president has also refused to take part in the OAS audit, calling instead for the results given by the electoral court (TSE) to be annulled as a precondition of his co-operation.

Poll violence

Riots broke out almost as soon as the election ended and Espinosa's resignation now threatens to heighten tensions.

Protests erupted in various cities in Bolivia on Friday, especially in the south of the administrative capital La Paz, where roads were cut off and riot police guarded vital crossings.

The extended clashes have seen 191 people detained and 60 police officers injured, said police chief Julio Cordero said on Friday.

But some opposition groups protesting the election now support neither Morales nor Mesa.

Popular assemblies or "Cabildos" held on Thursday in La Paz and the eastern city of Santa Cruz have rejected the OAS audit and demanded new elections.

The council of La Paz has even proclaimed "Neither Mesa, nor Evo Morales!", in favour of holding new elections without either of the two main candidates who stood on 20 October.

The president said on Friday that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bolivia-close-to-striking-deal-on-election-audit-as-protests-intensify-258432">Bolivians should wait</a> for the OAS audit report, which should be ready in two weeks.

Bolivia's first indigenous president, Morales has been in power since 2006.

Already Latin America's longest-serving leader, Morales is looking to remain in power until 2025 with a fourth term.

The country's constitution limits a president to two successive terms, and a 2016 referendum rejected a bid by Morales to remove term limits.

But Bolivia's constitutional court authorized him to stand for a fourth mandate.

The court, like the election tribunal, is made up of members appointed by Morales's Movement for Socialism.

The head of an international body auditing Bolivia's disputed election results resigned unexpectedly on Friday, casting further uncertainty over a vote that sparked deadly riots and delivered President Evo Morales a fourth term.

The head of an international body auditing Bolivia's disputed election results resigned unexpectedly on Friday, casting further uncertainty over a vote that sparked deadly riots and delivered President Evo Morales a fourth term. The chief of the technical mission from the Organisation of American States (OAS), Mexican Arturo Espinosa, announced he is stepping down from the role just a day after beginning the review of the controversial poll. "I have decided to withdraw from the audit so as not to compromise its impartiality. I should have informed the OAS about previous public statements (declarations) about the electoral process in Bolivia," he wrote in a tweet. An OAS spokeswoman later confirmed his resignation to AFP. Espinosa wrote two articles related to Bolivia's elections for a Mexican news website in the past two weeks, including one, published after the election, which raised doubts over the poll's transparency. The 20 October election result, ratified on Friday by Bolivia's own Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), saw Morales narrowly secure the 10-point gap needed to win outright, but only after an abrupt and unexplained shift in the vote count in his favor. Opposition candidate Carlos Mesa criticised the TSE's latest result calculations, saying that they show Morales committed a "fraud" and "an aggression against the good faith of the international community." The 66-year-old former president has also refused to take part in the OAS audit, calling instead for the results given by the electoral court (TSE) to be annulled as a precondition of his co-operation. Poll violence Riots broke out almost as soon as the election ended and Espinosa's resignation now threatens to heighten tensions. Protests erupted in various cities in Bolivia on Friday, especially in the south of the administrative capital La Paz, where roads were cut off and riot police guarded vital crossings. The extended clashes have seen 191 people detained and 60 police officers injured, said police chief Julio Cordero said on Friday. But some opposition groups protesting the election now support neither Morales nor Mesa. Popular assemblies or "Cabildos" held on Thursday in La Paz and the eastern city of Santa Cruz have rejected the OAS audit and demanded new elections. The council of La Paz has even proclaimed "Neither Mesa, nor Evo Morales!", in favour of holding new elections without either of the two main candidates who stood on 20 October. The president said on Friday that Bolivians should wait for the OAS audit report, which should be ready in two weeks. Bolivia's first indigenous president, Morales has been in power since 2006. Already Latin America's longest-serving leader, Morales is looking to remain in power until 2025 with a fourth term. The country's constitution limits a president to two successive terms, and a 2016 referendum rejected a bid by Morales to remove term limits. But Bolivia's constitutional court authorized him to stand for a fourth mandate. The court, like the election tribunal, is made up of members appointed by Morales's Movement for Socialism.

Bolivia election audit chief makes surprise resignation

The Bolivian government said on Sunday it planned to agree on a deal with the Organisation of American States (OAS) within days to audit a controversial <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/political-turmoil-deepening-in-bolivia-protests-over-alleged-electoral-fraud-258057">national election</a> that handed President Evo Morales an outright win amid allegations of vote-rigging.

Washington also weighed in with its concerns about <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bolivias-morales-set-to-win-outright-as-disputed-vote-count-nears-completion-257985">last week's poll</a> that gave leftist Morales his fourth term in office, while main opposition rival Carlos Mesa called for a general strike in the capital of La Paz on Monday to protest the result.

"The world is watching Bolivia's institutions and leaders to ensure that the voice and will of the Bolivian people are honoured," US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on Sunday.

Bolivian Deputy Trade Minister Benjamin Blanco told state TV on Sunday that a deal with Washington-based OAS on the terms of an audit, including the selection of chief auditors, was being negotiated and should wrap up this week. The OAS said on Saturday that it expected to begin the audit mid-week.

Asked if the government would agree to enact the audit's findings, Blanco said any deal "can't contradict what's established in our constitution and national laws." Morales has said he would call a second-round run-off vote with his closest rival Carlos Mesa if the OAS' audit turned up any evidence of fraud.

Brazil, Bolivia's biggest trade partner, has said it would not recognise Morales' victory until an audit was completed. The OAS has similarly said the result could not be considered legitimate before an audit, given "serious doubts" about fairness and transparency.

Morales has repeatedly denied allegations by the right-leaning opposition that he strong-armed the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) into giving him just enough votes in Sunday's election to avoid a riskier second-round election with Mesa.

Citing "massive fraud", <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/mesa-cries-foul-turmoil-flares-in-bolivia-after-morales-declared-official-winner-258151">Mesa called for a strike</a> in La Paz on Monday, which would intensify days of protests that have already seen electoral offices in some regions torched and large marches and strikes in major cities.

"We cannot allow authoritarianism that is increasingly turning into a dictatorship rob the people of its will," Mesa said in a video posted on Twitter on Sunday.

Morales had warned on Saturday that his rural supporters would siege cities that continue to protest his victory, alleging the opposition was stirring up unrest in a bid to unseat him illegally.

Mesa said the government was "trying to quiet the voices of the citizenry," adding "we're not afraid."

The TSE has denied vote tampering since sparking an uproar for abruptly halting publication of results from an electronic quick count of ballots that had aimed to make last Sunday's election more transparent.

With 84 per cent&nbsp;of votes counted, polling showed Morales was likely headed to a run-off with Mesa. But when the TSE resumed reporting of the quick count after a nearly 24-hour pause, Morales had pulled off a razor-thin first-round victory.

The final, legally-binding vote tally gave him 47.08 per cent&nbsp;of votes to Mesa's 35.51 per cent, less than a percentage point over the 10-point lead needed to avoid a run-off and giving him another five-year term.

Protesters say Morales had stocked the TSE and local courts with supporters as he has grown more authoritarian after nearly 14 years in office.

Morales, who denies the charges, ran again this year in defiance of term limits and a national referendum that had oppposed lifting them, after a court ruling found barring him would violate his human rights.

The Bolivian government said on Sunday it planned to agree on a deal with the Organisation of American States (OAS) within days to audit a controversial national election that handed President Evo Morales an outright win amid allegations of vote-rigging.

The Bolivian government said on Sunday it planned to agree on a deal with the Organisation of American States (OAS) within days to audit a controversial national election that handed President Evo Morales an outright win amid allegations of vote-rigging. Washington also weighed in with its concerns about last week's poll that gave leftist Morales his fourth term in office, while main opposition rival Carlos Mesa called for a general strike in the capital of La Paz on Monday to protest the result. "The world is watching Bolivia's institutions and leaders to ensure that the voice and will of the Bolivian people are honoured," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on Sunday. Bolivian Deputy Trade Minister Benjamin Blanco told state TV on Sunday that a deal with Washington-based OAS on the terms of an audit, including the selection of chief auditors, was being negotiated and should wrap up this week. The OAS said on Saturday that it expected to begin the audit mid-week. Asked if the government would agree to enact the audit's findings, Blanco said any deal "can't contradict what's established in our constitution and national laws." Morales has said he would call a second-round run-off vote with his closest rival Carlos Mesa if the OAS' audit turned up any evidence of fraud. Brazil, Bolivia's biggest trade partner, has said it would not recognise Morales' victory until an audit was completed. The OAS has similarly said the result could not be considered legitimate before an audit, given "serious doubts" about fairness and transparency. Morales has repeatedly denied allegations by the right-leaning opposition that he strong-armed the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) into giving him just enough votes in Sunday's election to avoid a riskier second-round election with Mesa. Citing "massive fraud", Mesa called for a strike in La Paz on Monday, which would intensify days of protests that have already seen electoral offices in some regions torched and large marches and strikes in major cities. "We cannot allow authoritarianism that is increasingly turning into a dictatorship rob the people of its will," Mesa said in a video posted on Twitter on Sunday. Morales had warned on Saturday that his rural supporters would siege cities that continue to protest his victory, alleging the opposition was stirring up unrest in a bid to unseat him illegally. Mesa said the government was "trying to quiet the voices of the citizenry," adding "we're not afraid." The TSE has denied vote tampering since sparking an uproar for abruptly halting publication of results from an electronic quick count of ballots that had aimed to make last Sunday's election more transparent. With 84 per cent of votes counted, polling showed Morales was likely headed to a run-off with Mesa. But when the TSE resumed reporting of the quick count after a nearly 24-hour pause, Morales had pulled off a razor-thin first-round victory. The final, legally-binding vote tally gave him 47.08 per cent of votes to Mesa's 35.51 per cent, less than a percentage point over the 10-point lead needed to avoid a run-off and giving him another five-year term. Protesters say Morales had stocked the TSE and local courts with supporters as he has grown more authoritarian after nearly 14 years in office. Morales, who denies the charges, ran again this year in defiance of term limits and a national referendum that had oppposed lifting them, after a court ruling found barring him would violate his human rights.

Bolivia govt close to striking deal on election audit as protests intensify

Bolivians banged on pots and pans from windows and rooftops in the capital La Paz on Friday, protesting a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bolivias-morales-set-to-win-outright-as-disputed-vote-count-nears-completion-257985">controversial election</a> count handing President Evo Morales a fourth consecutive term that would extend his rule to nearly two decades.

Morales, 59, who swept to power in 2006 as the country's first indigenous leader, hailed the official result of Sunday's vote as another historic triumph for his leftist movement and accused the opposition, without evidence, of trying to stage a coup d'etat with foreign backing.

Morales faced a fifth day of street protests in La Paz and other cities that begun after an official quick count of votes was suddenly suspended on Sunday when it revealed Morales heading to a riskier run-off election against rival Carlos Mesa.

A confident Morales said then his socialist party MAS would get an outright win as rural votes trickled in.

The tabulation of ballots at 100 per cent&nbsp;on Friday confirmed his prediction, giving him a 10.57-point lead over Mesa, less than a point above what he needed to avoid a second-round vote.

Election monitors, the opposition and some foreign governments criticised the election for lacking transparency.

The European Union, the United States, Brazil, Argentina and Colombia called for Bolivia to convene a second-round vote to ease the unrest.

Brazil's foreign ministry said it would not recognize Morales' win while an audit of the vote count by the regional group Organization of American States (OAS) was still pending.

The only countries that have congratulated Morales on his win were Venezuela, Cuba and Mexico.

After nightfall, Bolivians banged on pots and pans in a traditional form of protest. Earlier, roads were blocked and demonstrators surrounded the headquarters of the country's electoral board, guarded by rows of police in anti-riot gear.

"Evo Morales had an acceptable administration," said protester Jose Callisaya, 38. But "it's healthy in a democracy to change leaders."

Mesa, a former president who leads the Citizen Community party, has called for indefinite protests until a second-round vote is convened, which Morales has ruled out as unconstitutional.

"The government is despising the popular vote," Mesa told local television channel Unitel on Friday. 
 
Steady growth

A former union leader for coca farmers, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bolivias-election-sparks-protest-as-rivals-clash-over-results-257398">Morales has overseen steady growth</a> and relative stability in one of South America's poorest countries and is now the region's longest-serving president. He has accused the opposition of trying to stir up unrest and denied charges of vote-rigging.

Officials and diplomats raised concerns the conflict could hit Bolivia's ties with global trade partners and hurt an economy already straining under declining gas exports.

The country's electoral board denied any political interference in its count and invited anyone to examine voting sheets posted on its website.

Mesa's campaign has said it had found irregularities on the website that swung some 100,000 votes in favour of Morales.

Bolivia's electoral system was "absolutely transparent," said Idelfonso Mamani, one of the five remaining members of the board following the resignation of its vice president in protest this week. "We have the means to prove the results," he said.

The office of the country's ombudsman, which monitors conflicts, said 57 people have been arrested and 29 people wounded in this week's protests. Prosecutor Juan Lanchipa said 40 people have been investigated for vandalism.

Interior Minister Carlos Romero called for calm. "There are people out for blood...to say there's a dictatorship here."

The OAS, a regional group that sent an observer mission to Bolivia, has said it had "serious doubts" about the election and earlier this week accepted an invitation by Morales' government to audit it to clear them up. It was unclear when the audit would begin.

Bolivians banged on pots and pans from windows and rooftops in the capital La Paz on Friday, protesting a controversial election count handing President Evo Morales a fourth consecutive term that would extend his rule to nearly two decades.

Bolivians banged on pots and pans from windows and rooftops in the capital La Paz on Friday, protesting a controversial election count handing President Evo Morales a fourth consecutive term that would extend his rule to nearly two decades. Morales, 59, who swept to power in 2006 as the country's first indigenous leader, hailed the official result of Sunday's vote as another historic triumph for his leftist movement and accused the opposition, without evidence, of trying to stage a coup d'etat with foreign backing. Morales faced a fifth day of street protests in La Paz and other cities that begun after an official quick count of votes was suddenly suspended on Sunday when it revealed Morales heading to a riskier run-off election against rival Carlos Mesa. A confident Morales said then his socialist party MAS would get an outright win as rural votes trickled in. The tabulation of ballots at 100 per cent on Friday confirmed his prediction, giving him a 10.57-point lead over Mesa, less than a point above what he needed to avoid a second-round vote. Election monitors, the opposition and some foreign governments criticised the election for lacking transparency. The European Union, the United States, Brazil, Argentina and Colombia called for Bolivia to convene a second-round vote to ease the unrest. Brazil's foreign ministry said it would not recognize Morales' win while an audit of the vote count by the regional group Organization of American States (OAS) was still pending. The only countries that have congratulated Morales on his win were Venezuela, Cuba and Mexico. After nightfall, Bolivians banged on pots and pans in a traditional form of protest. Earlier, roads were blocked and demonstrators surrounded the headquarters of the country's electoral board, guarded by rows of police in anti-riot gear. "Evo Morales had an acceptable administration," said protester Jose Callisaya, 38. But "it's healthy in a democracy to change leaders." Mesa, a former president who leads the Citizen Community party, has called for indefinite protests until a second-round vote is convened, which Morales has ruled out as unconstitutional. "The government is despising the popular vote," Mesa told local television channel Unitel on Friday. Steady growth A former union leader for coca farmers, Morales has overseen steady growth and relative stability in one of South America's poorest countries and is now the region's longest-serving president. He has accused the opposition of trying to stir up unrest and denied charges of vote-rigging. Officials and diplomats raised concerns the conflict could hit Bolivia's ties with global trade partners and hurt an economy already straining under declining gas exports. The country's electoral board denied any political interference in its count and invited anyone to examine voting sheets posted on its website. Mesa's campaign has said it had found irregularities on the website that swung some 100,000 votes in favour of Morales. Bolivia's electoral system was "absolutely transparent," said Idelfonso Mamani, one of the five remaining members of the board following the resignation of its vice president in protest this week. "We have the means to prove the results," he said. The office of the country's ombudsman, which monitors conflicts, said 57 people have been arrested and 29 people wounded in this week's protests. Prosecutor Juan Lanchipa said 40 people have been investigated for vandalism. Interior Minister Carlos Romero called for calm. "There are people out for blood...to say there's a dictatorship here." The OAS, a regional group that sent an observer mission to Bolivia, has said it had "serious doubts" about the election and earlier this week accepted an invitation by Morales' government to audit it to clear them up. It was unclear when the audit would begin.

Bolivians bang on pots and pans in protest at Morales election win

Political turmoil deepening in Bolivia. The protests are happening over alleged electoral fraud. The Incumbent President of Bolivia Evo Morales claims victory in the elections. Watch this video to know more.

Political turmoil deepening in Bolivia, protests over alleged electoral fraud

Unrest unravelled in La Paz on Thursday (October 24) after a final vote tally by Bolivia's electoral board gave President Evo Morales an outright win in the first-round election, with 47.07% of ballots compared to 36.51% for runner-up Carlos Mesa, data on the board's website showed.

Mesa cries foul; turmoil flares in Bolivia after Morales declared official winner

Unrest unravelled in La Paz on October 24 after a final vote tally by Bolivia's electoral board gave President Evo Morales an outright win in the first-round election, with 47.07% of ballots compared to 36.51% for runner-up Carlos Mesa, data on the board's website showed.

Political Turmoil in Bolivia; Protests over electoral fraud

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bolivias-election-sparks-protest-as-rivals-clash-over-results-257398">Bolivia's leftist leader Evo Morales</a> was on track to win a fraught presidential race outright, edging to a decisive 10-point lead over his main rival after accusing the opposition on Wednesday of attempting a "coup" against him.

Delays during the count following Sunday's election and a sudden shift in fortunes in Morales favour fanned tensions, resulting in protests and marches in the main cities of one of South America's poorest countries.

On Wednesday evening, with the counting almost done, hundreds of flag-waving opposition supporters kept up their protest outside the electoral building in La Paz, chanting and setting off fireworks.

At around midnight in Bolivia, the official count showed Morales, who has governed landlocked Bolivia for almost 14 years, had 46.77 per cent&nbsp;of the vote with just over 98 per cent&nbsp;of ballots counted, putting him 10 points ahead of main rival Carlos Mesa.

If Morales holds onto that lead he would win outright and avoid a risky second-round run-off in a vote that has drawn allegations of fraud.

After all the demonstrations over the past few days, the mood in the plaza outside the electoral building had turned more boisterous than angry, with small bonfires and mostly young people chanting that they did not want to live in a dictatorship.

"Evo has accumulated so much power. Look at everything that has happened, he doesn't want to leave," said Franco Garcia, 21, adding he voted for Mesa, a former president because he would be easier to topple if needed.

"If we continue with Evo, then something like Venezuela awaits us. He has too much power."

The unrest, already the severest test of Morales' rule since he came to power in 2006, could spread if the outright victory is confirmed, after monitors, foreign governments and the opposition called on Morales to hold a second-round vote.

The tensions began after an official quick vote count was disrupted by a day-long halt starting late on Sunday when a preliminary count of almost 84% of ballots showed the two main rivals heading to a second round. 
 
'Coup D'etat'

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/morales-leads-bolivia-election-but-faces-run-off-257140">Morales, the country's first indigenous leader</a>, struck a defiant tone on Wednesday.

In a fiery speech at the government office in La Paz, Morales criticized recent violence that saw electoral offices torched and skirmishes between protesters and police, blaming it on the right-wing opposition and what he described as their foreign backers.

"I have called this conference to denounce, in front of the Bolivian people and the entire world, that a coup d'etat is in progress. In advance, the right had prepared with international support for a coup," he said.

Morales called on the people to "defend democracy." Later in the day, he sought to shore up backing from the country's military at an event in the region of Cochabamba, a key source of political support.

At an evening news conference, government minister Carlos Romero denounced "violent groups," which he said were seeking to confront police with explosives, adding the government would look to hold responsible those promoting the violence.

Mesa, in a video statement on Wednesday, called for "permanent protests" until a second-round vote was confirmed, and said he would present evidence of electoral fraud.

Protesters have demonstrated in La Paz, Santa Cruz and Potosi, with strikes also called in some cities. 
 
'What's he afraid of?'

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hundreds-of-thousands-voice-outrage-over-bolivian-leaders-response-to-forest-fires-254027">Morales, a former union leader for coca farmers</a>, has overseen relative stability and economic growth but angered many by running for a fourth consecutive term in defiance of term limits and a 2016 referendum that voted against him doing so.

"If he wants to be elected cleanly, he should accept a second-round election. What's he afraid of?" asked Maria Luz Vargas, 65, a newspaper seller in La Paz who had joined the protests.

The official election monitor, the Organisation of American States, had called the count into question and cited a "drastic" and inexplicable shift in the vote, which it said hurt voters' confidence in the electoral process.

Antonio Costas, one of the six-member electoral team coordinating the vote, stepped down on Tuesday in protest at the halt to the rapid count, although he told Reuters he had not come under political pressure.

A number of foreign governments, including the United States, Brazil and the European Union, also voiced concerns about the integrity of the vote.

At a meeting on Wednesday, the OAS recommended a second-round vote go ahead even if Morales reached a 10-point lead.

Morales has maintained throughout that when the final vote count was announced, he would obtain a first-round win, helped by strong support in the countryside.

"Our triumph has always been with the votes from the rural areas with the votes of the indigenous movement," he said on Wednesday, adding he would respect the final result.

Bolivia's leftist leader Evo Morales was on track to win a fraught presidential race outright, edging to a decisive 10-point lead over his main rival after accusing the opposition on Wednesday of attempting a "coup" against him.

Bolivia's leftist leader Evo Morales was on track to win a fraught presidential race outright, edging to a decisive 10-point lead over his main rival after accusing the opposition on Wednesday of attempting a "coup" against him. Delays during the count following Sunday's election and a sudden shift in fortunes in Morales favour fanned tensions, resulting in protests and marches in the main cities of one of South America's poorest countries. On Wednesday evening, with the counting almost done, hundreds of flag-waving opposition supporters kept up their protest outside the electoral building in La Paz, chanting and setting off fireworks. At around midnight in Bolivia, the official count showed Morales, who has governed landlocked Bolivia for almost 14 years, had 46.77 per cent of the vote with just over 98 per cent of ballots counted, putting him 10 points ahead of main rival Carlos Mesa. If Morales holds onto that lead he would win outright and avoid a risky second-round run-off in a vote that has drawn allegations of fraud. After all the demonstrations over the past few days, the mood in the plaza outside the electoral building had turned more boisterous than angry, with small bonfires and mostly young people chanting that they did not want to live in a dictatorship. "Evo has accumulated so much power. Look at everything that has happened, he doesn't want to leave," said Franco Garcia, 21, adding he voted for Mesa, a former president because he would be easier to topple if needed. "If we continue with Evo, then something like Venezuela awaits us. He has too much power." The unrest, already the severest test of Morales' rule since he came to power in 2006, could spread if the outright victory is confirmed, after monitors, foreign governments and the opposition called on Morales to hold a second-round vote. The tensions began after an official quick vote count was disrupted by a day-long halt starting late on Sunday when a preliminary count of almost 84% of ballots showed the two main rivals heading to a second round. 'Coup D'etat' Morales, the country's first indigenous leader, struck a defiant tone on Wednesday. In a fiery speech at the government office in La Paz, Morales criticized recent violence that saw electoral offices torched and skirmishes between protesters and police, blaming it on the right-wing opposition and what he described as their foreign backers. "I have called this conference to denounce, in front of the Bolivian people and the entire world, that a coup d'etat is in progress. In advance, the right had prepared with international support for a coup," he said. Morales called on the people to "defend democracy." Later in the day, he sought to shore up backing from the country's military at an event in the region of Cochabamba, a key source of political support. At an evening news conference, government minister Carlos Romero denounced "violent groups," which he said were seeking to confront police with explosives, adding the government would look to hold responsible those promoting the violence. Mesa, in a video statement on Wednesday, called for "permanent protests" until a second-round vote was confirmed, and said he would present evidence of electoral fraud. Protesters have demonstrated in La Paz, Santa Cruz and Potosi, with strikes also called in some cities. 'What's he afraid of?' Morales, a former union leader for coca farmers, has overseen relative stability and economic growth but angered many by running for a fourth consecutive term in defiance of term limits and a 2016 referendum that voted against him doing so. "If he wants to be elected cleanly, he should accept a second-round election. What's he afraid of?" asked Maria Luz Vargas, 65, a newspaper seller in La Paz who had joined the protests. The official election monitor, the Organisation of American States, had called the count into question and cited a "drastic" and inexplicable shift in the vote, which it said hurt voters' confidence in the electoral process. Antonio Costas, one of the six-member electoral team coordinating the vote, stepped down on Tuesday in protest at the halt to the rapid count, although he told Reuters he had not come under political pressure. A number of foreign governments, including the United States, Brazil and the European Union, also voiced concerns about the integrity of the vote. At a meeting on Wednesday, the OAS recommended a second-round vote go ahead even if Morales reached a 10-point lead. Morales has maintained throughout that when the final vote count was announced, he would obtain a first-round win, helped by strong support in the countryside. "Our triumph has always been with the votes from the rural areas with the votes of the indigenous movement," he said on Wednesday, adding he would respect the final result.

Bolivia's Morales set to win outright as disputed vote count nears completion

Protesters poured on to the streets on Wednesday (October 23) in Bolivia's capital La Paz as anger continues to mount over election results.

"We live in a democratic country, not a dictatorship," says Bolivian protester

The government of Bolivian President Evo Morales on Tuesday (October 22) asked an official observer of the country's disputed presidential election to conduct an audit of a binding vote count after an official quick tally showing him winning sparked a backlash and violent street protests.

Unrest in Bolivia grows as observers call on government to respect vote results

Thousands of Bolivians furious over what they saw as an attempt by leftist President Evo Morales to rig Sunday's election protested outside the hotel in the capital city of La Paz where the country's electoral board was processing remaining ballots on Tuesday (October 22).

'A giant fraud'- Protests flare over disputed Bolivia election

Season of discontent: A look at protests across the world

Violence broke out in several Bolivian cities Monday after the main opposition candidate <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bolivias-election-sparks-protest-as-rivals-clash-over-results-257398">rejected presidential election results </a>that seemed set to give victory to long-time incumbent Evo Morales, as international monitors voiced "deep concern."

Rival supporters clashed in the capital La Paz, while in the southern city of Sucre an angry mob set a local electoral authority's headquarters on fire, TV images showed.&nbsp;

Protesters clashed with police in the mining city of Potosi and attacked the local electoral authority as well as local government offices.

Riot-police dispersed a crowd who tried to storm the electoral offices in the Andean city of Oruro, south of La Paz.&nbsp;

Clashes were also reported in Tarija in the south, Cochabamba in the center and Cobija in the north.

Carlos Mesa, who came a close second to Morales in Sunday's polls, forcing a run-off, according to preliminary results,&nbsp;denounced revised results released by election authorities as a "fraud."

"We are not going to recognize those results that are part of a shameful, consumated fraud, that is putting Bolivian society in a situation of unnecessary tension," said Mesa.

Mesa, a former president of the country between 2001-2005, accused Morales of colluding with the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) to tweak delayed results and avoid a run-off.

The United States' top diplomat for Latin America said the Electoral Tribunal was attempting "to subvert Bolivia's democracy by delaying the vote count and taking actions that undermine the credibility of Bolivia's elections."

"We call on the TSE to immediately act to restore credibility in the vote-counting process," the official, Michael Kozak, said on Twitter.

Election monitors from the Organization of American States voiced "deep concern" at sudden changes to the election count to show Morales closing in on an outright victory in the first round.

The OAS observer mission in the country expressed "surprise at the drastic and hard-to-explain change in the trend of the preliminary results revealed after the closing of the polls," it said in a statement.

Preliminary results released late Sunday showed neither Morales, 59, nor 66-year-old Mesa with a majority and "clearly indicated a second round," the OAS mission said.

The partial results put Morales in the lead with 45 per cent of the votes, with Mesa on 38 per cent, meaning Morales would have to contest a run-off for the first time.

But results released late Monday, after a long delay, showed Morales edging towards an outright victory with 95 per cent of the votes counted.

The OAS called on the election authority to "firmly defend the will of the Bolivian people" and called for calm on the streets.

"It is extremely important that calm is maintained and any form of violence is avoided in this delicate situation," it added.

Morales, Latin America's longest-serving president, is controversially seeking a fourth term.

He obtained Constitutional Court permission in 2017 to run again for president even though the constitution allows only two consecutive terms.

The former coca farmer and leftist union leader has led the poor but resource-rich Latin American country for the past 13 years, though his popularity has waned amid allegations of corruption and authoritarianism.

He has led the country since taking office in 2006 when he became its first indigenous president.&nbsp;

A new mandate would keep him in power until 2025.

As the leader of his Movement for Socialism Party (MAS), Morales points to a decade of economic stability and considerable industrialization as his achievements, while insisting he has brought "dignity" to Bolivia's indigenous population, the largest in Latin America.

He has come under severe criticism this year as wildfires in August and September ravaged Bolivia's forests and grasslands, with activists saying his policies encouraged the use of blazes to clear farmland.

Violence broke out in several Bolivian cities Monday after the main opposition candidate rejected presidential election results that seemed set to give victory to long-time incumbent Evo Morales, as international monitors voiced "deep concern.

Violence broke out in several Bolivian cities Monday after the main opposition candidate rejected presidential election results that seemed set to give victory to long-time incumbent Evo Morales, as international monitors voiced "deep concern." Rival supporters clashed in the capital La Paz, while in the southern city of Sucre an angry mob set a local electoral authority's headquarters on fire, TV images showed. Protesters clashed with police in the mining city of Potosi and attacked the local electoral authority as well as local government offices. Riot-police dispersed a crowd who tried to storm the electoral offices in the Andean city of Oruro, south of La Paz. Clashes were also reported in Tarija in the south, Cochabamba in the center and Cobija in the north. Carlos Mesa, who came a close second to Morales in Sunday's polls, forcing a run-off, according to preliminary results, denounced revised results released by election authorities as a "fraud." "We are not going to recognize those results that are part of a shameful, consumated fraud, that is putting Bolivian society in a situation of unnecessary tension," said Mesa. Mesa, a former president of the country between 2001-2005, accused Morales of colluding with the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) to tweak delayed results and avoid a run-off. The United States' top diplomat for Latin America said the Electoral Tribunal was attempting "to subvert Bolivia's democracy by delaying the vote count and taking actions that undermine the credibility of Bolivia's elections." "We call on the TSE to immediately act to restore credibility in the vote-counting process," the official, Michael Kozak, said on Twitter. Election monitors from the Organization of American States voiced "deep concern" at sudden changes to the election count to show Morales closing in on an outright victory in the first round. The OAS observer mission in the country expressed "surprise at the drastic and hard-to-explain change in the trend of the preliminary results revealed after the closing of the polls," it said in a statement. Preliminary results released late Sunday showed neither Morales, 59, nor 66-year-old Mesa with a majority and "clearly indicated a second round," the OAS mission said. The partial results put Morales in the lead with 45 per cent of the votes, with Mesa on 38 per cent, meaning Morales would have to contest a run-off for the first time. But results released late Monday, after a long delay, showed Morales edging towards an outright victory with 95 per cent of the votes counted. The OAS called on the election authority to "firmly defend the will of the Bolivian people" and called for calm on the streets. "It is extremely important that calm is maintained and any form of violence is avoided in this delicate situation," it added. Morales, Latin America's longest-serving president, is controversially seeking a fourth term. He obtained Constitutional Court permission in 2017 to run again for president even though the constitution allows only two consecutive terms. The former coca farmer and leftist union leader has led the poor but resource-rich Latin American country for the past 13 years, though his popularity has waned amid allegations of corruption and authoritarianism. He has led the country since taking office in 2006 when he became its first indigenous president. A new mandate would keep him in power until 2025. As the leader of his Movement for Socialism Party (MAS), Morales points to a decade of economic stability and considerable industrialization as his achievements, while insisting he has brought "dignity" to Bolivia's indigenous population, the largest in Latin America. He has come under severe criticism this year as wildfires in August and September ravaged Bolivia's forests and grasslands, with activists saying his policies encouraged the use of blazes to clear farmland.

Violence breaks out in Bolivia over vote count

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/morales-leads-bolivia-election-but-faces-run-off-257140">Bolivia's electoral board</a> released new data late on Monday that showed President Evo Morales had enough votes to win the hotly contested election, sparking allegations of fraud from the opposition and angry clashes in the streets.

The board had halted a preliminary vote count late on Sunday with results then showing the election going to a second-round run-off. The abrupt pause had fuelled concerns among election monitors and foreign governments over potential vote tampering.

After the 24-hour gap, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) updated its count to show Morales with a wider lead of 46.85 per cent&nbsp;of votes to rival Carlos Mesa's 36.73 per cent, just enough to give him the 10-point lead needed to win in the first round.

As protesters scuffled with police in the streets of the capital, La Paz, outside the counting venue, runner-up Mesa slammed the results as "shameful" and said he would not recognise them.

"We trust citizens won't accept this," Mesa told journalists in the lowland city of Santa Cruz. "This government has created an impossible situation. It's mocking the popular vote."

Just a day earlier, Mesa had celebrated making it to a second-round after an official count of nearly 84 per cent&nbsp;of ballots showed Morales short of the votes needed to avoid a run-off. Other polls also showed a tight race leading to a second round.

Morales, however, who has won his previous three terms with solid majorities, insisted late on Sunday that he would get enough votes from rural areas for an outright win.

The uncertainty sparked protests in the landlocked South American country and fears among international election observers and diplomats about potential manipulation of the vote, with some worried it could trigger the kind of violent unrest that has recently roiled Chile and Ecuador.

"The result is in question and we're seeing the start of a conflict, a climate could be unleashed that moves this from tension to convulsion," said Bolivian political analyst Franklin Pareja.

 
Tear gas

Before the electoral court resumed updating of preliminary results on Monday, thousands of Bolivians protested outside a hotel in La Paz where the TSE had gathered to process votes. Police fired tear gas at crowds, amid reports of clashes in protests elsewhere.

The TSE's earlier decision to halt the provisionary count with just 83.76 per cent&nbsp;of the ballot completed had prompted the official monitor, the Organisation of American States (OAS), to demand to know why.

"Those numbers clearly indicated a second round, a trend that coincided with the only authorized rapid count and statistics from the observation mission," Manuel Gonzalez, the head of the mission, said.

Gonzalez said the change in one day was "inexplicable" and a blow to voters' trust in the electoral process, but his comments fell short of calling the results illegitimate.

Argentina, Brazil and the White House also expressed concern over the interruption of the official reporting of results.

"Electoral authorities should immediately restore credibility and transparency to the process so that the will of the Bolivian people is respected," Michael Kozak, the US assistant secretary of state for western hemisphere affairs, said on Twitter.

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The U.S. is closely watching 1st round of elections in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bolivia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bolivia</a>, especially the sudden interruption of the electronic vote tabulation. 
 
Electoral authorities should immediately restore credibility &amp; transparency to the process so that the will of the Bolivian people is respected. <a href="https://t.co/vDc1L4ffX3">https://t.co/vDc1L4ffX3</a>
— Michael G. Kozak (@WHAAsstSecty) <a href="https://twitter.com/WHAAsstSecty/status/1186264315780878337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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If Morales wins, Latin America's longest continuous-serving standing leader would extend his rule to 19 years.

Antonio Costas, one of the six-member TSE team coordinating the count, told Reuters on Monday that the decision had been made to suspend the preliminary count to focus on the slower official calculation.

That count, still underway, with about 60 per cent&nbsp;of ballots processed, has Mesa and Morales closely tied with a little over 42 per cent&nbsp;of votes each.

Costas added that he had not come under any political pressure to halt the preliminary count, which had been meant as a tool to help ensure greater transparency of the vote.

Morales, a former union leader of coca growers, has overseen a long stretch of political and economic stability for Bolivia, the continent's poorest country. His support has slipped amid slowing economic growth and concern about government corruption and anti-democratic practices.

Bolivia's electoral board released new data late on Monday that showed President Evo Morales had enough votes to win the hotly contested election, sparking allegations of fraud from the opposition and angry clashes in the streets.

Bolivia's electoral board released new data late on Monday that showed President Evo Morales had enough votes to win the hotly contested election, sparking allegations of fraud from the opposition and angry clashes in the streets. The board had halted a preliminary vote count late on Sunday with results then showing the election going to a second-round run-off. The abrupt pause had fuelled concerns among election monitors and foreign governments over potential vote tampering. After the 24-hour gap, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) updated its count to show Morales with a wider lead of 46.85 per cent of votes to rival Carlos Mesa's 36.73 per cent, just enough to give him the 10-point lead needed to win in the first round. As protesters scuffled with police in the streets of the capital, La Paz, outside the counting venue, runner-up Mesa slammed the results as "shameful" and said he would not recognise them. "We trust citizens won't accept this," Mesa told journalists in the lowland city of Santa Cruz. "This government has created an impossible situation. It's mocking the popular vote." Just a day earlier, Mesa had celebrated making it to a second-round after an official count of nearly 84 per cent of ballots showed Morales short of the votes needed to avoid a run-off. Other polls also showed a tight race leading to a second round. Morales, however, who has won his previous three terms with solid majorities, insisted late on Sunday that he would get enough votes from rural areas for an outright win. The uncertainty sparked protests in the landlocked South American country and fears among international election observers and diplomats about potential manipulation of the vote, with some worried it could trigger the kind of violent unrest that has recently roiled Chile and Ecuador. "The result is in question and we're seeing the start of a conflict, a climate could be unleashed that moves this from tension to convulsion," said Bolivian political analyst Franklin Pareja. Tear gas Before the electoral court resumed updating of preliminary results on Monday, thousands of Bolivians protested outside a hotel in La Paz where the TSE had gathered to process votes. Police fired tear gas at crowds, amid reports of clashes in protests elsewhere. The TSE's earlier decision to halt the provisionary count with just 83.76 per cent of the ballot completed had prompted the official monitor, the Organisation of American States (OAS), to demand to know why. "Those numbers clearly indicated a second round, a trend that coincided with the only authorized rapid count and statistics from the observation mission," Manuel Gonzalez, the head of the mission, said. Gonzalez said the change in one day was "inexplicable" and a blow to voters' trust in the electoral process, but his comments fell short of calling the results illegitimate. Argentina, Brazil and the White House also expressed concern over the interruption of the official reporting of results. "Electoral authorities should immediately restore credibility and transparency to the process so that the will of the Bolivian people is respected," Michael Kozak, the US assistant secretary of state for western hemisphere affairs, said on Twitter. The U.S. is closely watching 1st round of elections in #Bolivia, especially the sudden interruption of the electronic vote tabulation. Electoral authorities should immediately restore credibility & transparency to the process so that the will of the Bolivian people is respected. https://t.co/vDc1L4ffX3 — Michael G. Kozak (@WHAAsstSecty) October 21, 2019 × If Morales wins, Latin America's longest continuous-serving standing leader would extend his rule to 19 years. Antonio Costas, one of the six-member TSE team coordinating the count, told Reuters on Monday that the decision had been made to suspend the preliminary count to focus on the slower official calculation. That count, still underway, with about 60 per cent of ballots processed, has Mesa and Morales closely tied with a little over 42 per cent of votes each. Costas added that he had not come under any political pressure to halt the preliminary count, which had been meant as a tool to help ensure greater transparency of the vote. Morales, a former union leader of coca growers, has overseen a long stretch of political and economic stability for Bolivia, the continent's poorest country. His support has slipped amid slowing economic growth and concern about government corruption and anti-democratic practices.

Bolivia's election sparks protest as rivals clash over results

Bolivia burns in the aftermath of presidential elections

Evo Morales led Bolivia's presidential election race Sunday but faces a historic second-round run-off against opposition rival Carlos Mesa, partial results announced by election authorities showed.

Seeking a fourth term, Morales had 45 per cent of the vote to Mesa's 38 per cent, with 84 per cent of the vote counted, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal said.

Elected Bolivia's first indigenous president in 2005, he has won all his previous elections in the first round, never having to contest a run-off.

South Korean-born evangelical pastor, Chi Hyun Chung, was in third place with 8.7 per cent of the vote.

Morales, who will turn 60 next week, has been at the helm in the poor but resource-rich Latin American country for 13 years, and a new mandate would keep him in power until 2025.

The former coca farmer and leftist union leader obtained Constitutional Court permission in 2017 to run again for president even though the constitution allows only two consecutive terms.

Evo Morales led Bolivia's presidential election race Sunday but faces a historic second-round run-off against opposition rival Carlos Mesa, partial results announced by election authorities showed.

Evo Morales led Bolivia's presidential election race Sunday but faces a historic second-round run-off against opposition rival Carlos Mesa, partial results announced by election authorities showed. Seeking a fourth term, Morales had 45 per cent of the vote to Mesa's 38 per cent, with 84 per cent of the vote counted, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal said. Elected Bolivia's first indigenous president in 2005, he has won all his previous elections in the first round, never having to contest a run-off. South Korean-born evangelical pastor, Chi Hyun Chung, was in third place with 8.7 per cent of the vote. Morales, who will turn 60 next week, has been at the helm in the poor but resource-rich Latin American country for 13 years, and a new mandate would keep him in power until 2025. The former coca farmer and leftist union leader obtained Constitutional Court permission in 2017 to run again for president even though the constitution allows only two consecutive terms.

Morales leads Bolivia election but faces run-off

Bolivian opposition candidates are closing in on President Evo Morales in polls ahead of a general election later this month, with Latin America's longest continuous standing leader possibly being edged out in a second round run-off.

Bolivian poll shows opposition closing in on Morales

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