Supporters of Bolivian President Evo Morales burn a puppet representing opposition leader Branco Marinkovic during a protest against an autonomy referendum in La Paz May 4, 2008. Sporadic clashes broke out in Bolivia's richest region of Santa Cruz on Sunday as voting started in an autonomy referendum seen as a rejection of Morales' leftist reforms. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    LIMA, May 4 (Xinhua) -- The autonomy referendum for Bolivia's richest province of Santa Cruz on Sunday was "illegal and unconstitutional," President Evo Morales said in a national broadcast after the poll.

    "This illegal and unconstitutional vote didn't have the success hoped for by certain families," he said.

    Morales also called for dialog with opposition governors seeking greater political and economic autonomy from the government.

    The referendum began at 8 a.m. local time (1300 GMT) Sunday and led to confrontations that left at least one person dead and 30 injured.

    According to preliminary results, over 85 percent of Santa Cruz inhabitants voted in favor of autonomy for the province, but Morales said that as many as half the ballots were invalid.

    International and regional organizations such as the United Nations, the Organization of American States and many Latin American governments are opposed to the autonomy referendum.

    They fear the referendum would plunge Bolivia into chaos and urged dialogue between the two sides. 

Bolivian minister: Santa Cruz autonomy referendum fails

    LIMA, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Bolivian Interior Minister Alfredo Rada said Sunday that the autonomy referendum for the country's richest province Santa Cruz failed completely, according to news reaching here from Bolivia's capital La Paz.

One dead, 30 injured during Bolivia's autonomy referendum

Supporters of Bolivian President Evo Morales destroy voting supplies during the referendum on autonomy near San Julian, some 160km (99 miles) northeast of Santa Cruz, May 4, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    LIMA, May 4 (Xinhua) -- The autonomy referendum for Bolivia's richest province of Santa Cruz was marred Sunday by violence that left at least one person dead and 30 injured.

Autonomous Statute backed in Santa Cruz, Bolivia 

People celebrate after exit polls gave more than 85 percent of "Yes" votes in the referendum on autonomy that the Santa Cruz provincial government and civic groups held, in Santa Cruz's main square May 4, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    LIMA, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Exit polls carried out on Sunday after the popular consultation in Santa Cruz reveal that the Autonomous Statute was backed by 80 percent of the voters, reported Bolivian media.

Voting booths begin to close in Santa Cruz, Bolivia

President of the Pro Santa Cruz Committee, Branko Marinkovic, celebrates with hundreds of others after exit polls gave more than 85 percent of "Yes" votes in the referendum on autonomy that the Santa Cruz provincial government and civic groups held, in Santa Cruz's main square May 4, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    LIMA, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Some voting centers for the autonomous consultation in Bolivia's eastern Santa Cruz region began to close on Sunday after operating eight hours, according to news reaching here from La Paz, Bolivia's administrative capital.

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