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Backgrounder: Bolivians to decide whether to give Morales fourth presidential term

Xinhua, February 21, 2016 Adjust font size:

Sunday will be a historic day for Bolivia as more than 6.5 million voters will decide in a referendum whether to give President Evo Morales a fourth term in a row.

If the constitutional amendment is approved, Morales, who has won elections in 2005, 2009 and 2014, would be able to run again in 2019, extending his time in office through 2025.

Under the constitution adopted in a referendum in 2009, the president can be re-elected only once. If the yes vote wins in Sunday's referendum, the constitution will be amended so that the president can have a third term in a row. In addition to his presidential term between 2006 and 2009, Morales would be able to run for the fourth time in a row.

Polls will open at 8 a.m. local time (1200 GMT) and close at 4 p.m. (2000 GMT).

Voting is compulsory in Bolivia and people who do not vote will be fined 400 bolivianos (59 U.S. dollars), and will be rejected for public office, bank transfers and the possession of a passport.

Results are expected within 48 hours after the close of the polls. Endi