(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – People in Bolivia are evenly split between those who approve of a new constitution and those who do not, according to a poll by Ipsos Apoyo, Opinión y Mercado. 41 per cent of respondents would vote in favour of the proposed body of law in an upcoming referendum, while 41 per cent would vote against it.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – People in Bolivia are evenly split between those who approve of a new constitution and those who do not, according to a poll by Ipsos Apoyo, Opinión y Mercado. 41 per cent of respondents would vote in favour of the proposed body of law in an upcoming referendum, while 41 per cent would vote against it.
Evo Morales—an indigenous leader and former coca-leaf farmer—won the December 2005 presidential election as the candidate for the Movement to Socialism (MAS), with 53.7 per cent of the vote. He officially took over as Bolivia’s head of state in January 2006 and vowed to "re-found Bolivia" by enacting a new constitution.
In August 2006, the National Constituent Assembly—an elected ad-hoc body tasked with re-writing the country’s constitution—held its first session. The assembly was supposed to sit for just one year, but the process was marred by discrepancies between opposition parties and pro-government factions about whether the charter should be approved by a simple majority, as well as an attempt by MAS legislators to introduce an article to allow the indefinite re-election of the president. Opposition parties believed this would give Morales a chance to remain in power for as long as he wants.
In November 2007, a draft constitution was approved inside a military base in the vicinity of Sucre, with the support of all pro-government assembly members. Three people died and 20 more were injured during protests staged by the opposition to complain about the change of venue. The proposed draft includes articles that allow for consecutive presidential re-election, the creation of 36 autonomous indigenous communities, and tighter government controls over private media outlets.
Conservative opposition parties oppose the approved draft, which has led to a deep political division in the country. Earlier this month, the National Electoral Court (CNE) ruled that a referendum vote on the adoption of the new constitution should be delayed in order to allow opposition leaders and the government to solve the crisis first.
On Mar. 28, Morales praised the contents of the new body of law, saying, "According to international analysts, this is one of the most progressive constitutions in terms of social policies. That’s what we wanted, to bring about profound transformations in our society in democracy, peacefully. And the new constitution seeks equality for all Bolivians."
Polling Data
Would you vote for or against the proposed constitution?
|
Mar. 2008 |
Feb. 2008 |
|
|
For |
41% |
36% |
|
Against |
41% |
41% |
|
No reply |
18% |
16% |
Source: Ipsos Apoyo, Opinión y Mercado
Methodology: Interviews with 1,025 Bolivian adults in La Paz, El Alto, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz, conducted from Mar. 18 to Mar. 25, 2008. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.
