Key elements of proposed new Bolivian constitution

Key elements in the proposed constitution going before Bolivian voters Sunday:

RE-ELECTION: Presidents can serve two consecutive five-year terms. Current constitution permits two terms, but not consecutive. Morales could thus remain in office through 2014.

INDIGENOUS RIGHTS: Recognizes self-determination of 36 distinct Indian "nations." Sets aside seats in Congress for minority indigenous groups but not for the Aymara and Quechua, who together comprise the majority in Bolivia's western highlands.

LAND: Voters decide in the referendum whether future land ownership should be capped at 12,000 or 24,000 acres (5,000 or 10,000 hectares). Current holdings are grandfathered in. The state can seize land that doesn't perform a "social function" or was fraudulently obtained.

JUSTICE: Judges on Bolivia's highest court are elected rather than appointed by the president as current law provides. The state recognizes indigenous groups' practice of "community justice" based traditional customs.

LOCAL AUTONOMY: Eastern lowland provinces can set up state assemblies that control local issues, but not land reform or natural gas revenues. Indigenous groups are granted self-rule on traditional lands inside existing states. All autonomies have "equal rank."

NATURAL RESOURCES: The state controls all mineral and oil and gas reserves. Indigenous groups get control of all renewable resources on their land. Water is a fundamental human right that cannot be controlled by private companies.

RELIGION: Both the Christian God and Pachamama, the Andean earth deity, are honored. Church and state are separate. Freedom of religion is guaranteed, and no mention is made of the Roman Catholic Church, a departure from the current constitution.

PRESS FREEDOM: Is guaranteed, though news media must "respect the principles of truth and responsibility."

HOMOSEXUALITY: Prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation but refers to marriage as "between a man and a woman."


