Friday, April 10, 2009

Bolivia: President goes on hunger strike

Bolivian President Evo Morales has begun a hunger strike to demand that the nation's Congress pass an electoral law ratifying a date for general elections in December.

The president was quoted Thursday as saying he was starting the strike "to defend the vote of the people." He also accused members of the opposition-led Senate of trying to block the legislation.

The election bill has been held up by demands for an updated voter registry, arguments over whether Bolivians living outside the country should be able to vote, and a dispute over the number of seats in Congress that should be assigned to indigenous groups.

Published by Mike Hitchen, Mike Hitchen Consulting
Putting principles before profits