| Early exit polls indicate more than 80 percent of voters | | | | governors seeking looser ties to La Paz. |
| in a referendum in Bolivia's eastern state of Santa | | | | Opponents of the measure clashed with voters at |
| Cruz cast ballots in favor of autonomy. | | | | several polling stations on Sunday. Authorities say |
| Santa Cruz residents have already begun to celebrate | | | | dozens of people were injured. |
| Sunday's vote. It is not clear when the final results will | | | | Critics of the autonomy measure accused business |
| be in. | | | | leaders in the east of trying to stop tax money from |
| Supporters of the autonomy referendum are seeking | | | | going to poor communities in the west. Supporters said |
| greater control over the region's government and | | | | some of that money should benefit needy residents in |
| natural resources. They also want to protect large | | | | the east. |
| plantations and ranches from Bolivian President Evo | | | | Three other areas in eastern Bolivia have scheduled |
| Morales' land redistribution proposals. | | | | autonomy votes in coming weeks, and two others |
| The president has called the autonomy initiative illegal | | | | also are considering votes. |
| and unconstitutional. However, in a speech Sunday he | | | | Some information for this report was provided by AFP |
| said he is willing to discuss autonomy with state | | | | and AP. |