Bolivian opposition calls for new election amidst disputed vote

Bolivia's opposition on Sunday called for new elections in the country amidst recent unrest over a disputed vote that gave incumbent President Evo Morales the green light for a fourth term in office. Morales' main rival Carlos Mesa called for a new vote and for the country's electoral board to resign, citing a lack of impartiality. Morales, in power for nearly 14 years, won the Oct. 20 election by just more than the 10-point margin needed for outright victory.

But his win was mired in controversy after the vote count was halted for a day when the vote was seemingly headed for a run-off. Under pressure, the government gave the go-ahead for an audit of the vote by the Organization of American States, an official monitor of the election. Its audit started on Thursday and should take around two weeks. The opposition, however, is now calling for more, with Mesa sticking by allegations of electoral fraud.