MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Bolivians support oil industry referendum.

A clear victory for the referendum on the oil industry sponsored by the Bolivian government was expected this Sunday after the closing of voting polls and a first projection of vote count

With over half of the votes counted, all five questions of the referendum showed an ample majority (above 50%) which should give Bolivian president Carlos Mesa sufficient breathing space to address the controversial and sensitive issue of hydrocarbons and foreign involvement in the industry that cost his predecessor his job.

The first question regarding the annulment of the current hydrocarbons bill, the YES vote had a 87% support with 12% against.

The second which refers to government taking over property of hydrocarbons at the mouth of the wells, showed 92,4% positive and 7,6% negative.

As to the re-founding of the Bolivian government owned oil company Yes had 86% of the votes and No, 13%.

Using natural gas as a strategic bargaining chip to recover Bolivia's access to the sea, 60% voted Yes and 39,9%, No.

Finally regarding the export of natural gas, given certain conditions, support amounted to 67,6% of votes against 32,4%.

Luis Garay from the public opinion consulting company "Apoyo" said the opinion poll was done in certain voting booths chosen randomly, but "when all results are in the margin of error will be below 3%".

Evo Morales from the main opposition movement MAS praised Bolivians participation in the referendum (estimated over 65%) and anticipated that the result of question two will open the way for a "review of all contracts with foreign oil and gas companies".

Popular reaction to foreign oil companies' participation and share in the Bolivian industry led in October last year, to violent street protests and finally the downfall of elected former president Sanchez de Lozada currently living in Chicago.

Vice president Carlos Mesa took office promising a referendum on the sensitive issue which ended the popular uprising.