President Morales of Bolivia is facing violent protests and accusations of fraud after his rival and international observers questioned the results of Sunday’s election which appeared to give him a fourth term in office.
In the capital Sucre, opponents of Mr Morales chanting “respect my vote!” set fire to the regional headquarters of the electoral body. In Tarija, protesters burnt ballot boxes. Police fired tear gas to disperse crowds in La Paz.
On Sunday evening, when results of 85 per cent of the votes cast were released, Mr Morales was ahead of his main opponent, the former president Carlos Mesa, but still three points short of the 10 per cent lead he needed to avoid a second round run-off in December — a contest many