Bolivia Ready for Elections

La Paz
Bolivians will cast their vote on Sunday, in elections considered to be key for the strengthening of changes in the nation, amid attempts by traditional parties to regain past positions.

Nearly 3.7 million voters will elect 255 members of the Constituent Assembly to be installed on August 6.

Voters from each department will also decide if they entrust the Constituent Assembly to establish autonomous governments in the provinces that agree to do so.

The government of President Evo Morales expects a crushing win for the Movement to Socialism (MAS), at least 70 percent of the votes, to continue with radical changes underway to bring the nation back into a participatory democracy.

The opposition has resorted to attacks on the Constitution, especially to discredit the president and affect the high level of approval on his performance, between 75 and 80 percent.

Fighting the pending MAS victory, opposition parties, regional trends and business sectors have toughened their campaigns for greater autonomy in provinces.

They also seek recovery of past strongholds to keep privileges and regain control of natural resources, which seriously threatens with separatism, according to the MAS.

Morales, his party and social organizations condemn greater autonomy, since it will be personally used by the oligarchy.

The National Election Council is in charge of the elections to be monitored by observers of the European Union and the Organization of American States.