Electoral controversy paralyses Bolivia

Demonstrations turn violent as president Evo Morales inches to disputed victory

Protests have erupted across several of Bolivia’s major cities following a verdict from the supreme electoral tribune (TSE) that President Evo Morales won the country’s national election and a record fourth consecutive term in office.     Anger and confusion among supporters of leading opposition candidate Carlos Mesa boiled over as an early poll, accounting for 84pc of the vote, indicated that the two nominees were heading for a run-off on 15 December. Initial figures showed Morales with 42.3pc of the vote versus 41.7pc for Mesa.  The TSE then unexpectedly suspended coverage of the election for around 24 hours. With 95pc of the ballot calculated, the electoral body revealed that the result