Bands of Morales’ supporters and opponents fought in a number of places across the country, including the capital of La Paz. Morales’ opponents accused officials of trying to help the president avoid a runoff battle in which he could lose to a unified opposition. Yet, the president claimed an outright victory late Sunday, telling supporters that the votes still to be counted would be enough to give him an outright victory. Bolivian law says Morales would win an outright victory if he ended up with at least a 10-percentage point advantage over Mesa, avoiding a December second-round election. The country’s top court, considered by critics as friendly to the president, ruled that limits would violate Morales’ political rights as a citizen.

Source: thestar October 22, 2019 04:18 UTC