Bolivian President RESIGNS amid unrest over electoral fraud claims

Bolivian President Evo Morales announced his resignation amid unrest over a disputed election he had claimed to have won.

People took to the streets of La Paz to celebrate the decision after the country's military chief went on TV on Sunday to call for him to quit. In his TV appeal, General Williams Kaliman said: "After analysing the situation of internal conflict, we ask the president to resign, allowing peace to be restored and stability to be maintained for the good of our Bolivia." He also warned Bolivians not to resort to violence.

Mr Morales has seen weeks of anti-government protests after his election victory last month was disputed. 

The Organization of American States later discovered "clear manipulation" at the polls.

This came after concerns were raised about a day-long gap in reporting results from the poll, before there was a spike in votes for Mr Morales.

Mr Morales, who had been president since 2006, had promised a fresh election.

Bolivian President Evo Morales has resigned

Bolivian President Evo Morales has resigned (Image: GETTY)

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also weighed in by saying he "condemned this coup" against the president.

He tweeted: "To see Evo Morales who, along with a powerful movement, has brought so much social progress forced from office by the military is appalling.

"I condemn this coup against the Bolivian people and stand with them for democracy, social justice and independence."

READ MORE: Bolivia news: Why has the Bolivian president resigned?

People took to the streets to celebrate after the resignation was announced

People took to the streets to celebrate after the resignation was announced (Image: GETTY)



There had also been signs that Mr Morales' support was waning fast after several of his allies resigned, including Mining Minister Cesar Navarro and Chamber of Deputies President Victor Borda, who belongs to Morales' party.


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The resignation came following weeks of protests

The resignation came following weeks of protests (Image: GETTY)

Juan Carlos Huarachi, leader of the Bolivian Workers' Centre, a powerful pro-government union, said Mr Morales should stand down if that would help end recent violence.

He said: "If it means resigning to bring peace to the Bolivia people, then Mr. President we should do it." 

In recent days police forces were also seen joining anti-government protests, while the military said it would not "confront the people" over the issue after a weeks-long standoff.


Mr Morales had been the country's leader for nearly 14 years

Mr Morales had been the country's leader for nearly 14 years (Image: GETTY)

When questioned about whether he would be a candidate in the new election, Mr Morales told a local radio station "candidacies must be secondary; what comes first is to pacify Bolivia," adding he had a constitutional duty to finish his term.

Mr Mesa said Mr Morales and Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera should not preside over the electoral process or be candidates.

"If you have an iota of patriotism, you should step aside," Mesa said in a news conference.


The Organisation of American States called for a new a presidential election, citing irregularities in the October 20 vote

The Organisation of American States called for a new a presidential election (Image: GETTY)


"The first round of the elections held on October 20 must be annulled and the electoral process must begin again," the OAS added in a separate statement.

