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In Pictures: Morales celebrates poll victory

Evo Morales set for third term as president of Bolivia after garnering 59.5 percent of Sunday’s vote.

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Many indigenous people from the Altiplano attended Morales(***) last rally in the city of El Alto.
By Javier Sauras and Michele Bertelli
Published On 14 Oct 2014

El Alto, Bolivia – Evo Morales heads to his third term in office in Bolivia after exit polls gave him almost 60 percent of the presidential vote.

Morales celebrated the victory with his supporters in the capital, La Paz, on Sunday.

Miners, indigenous people from the Altiplano, coca farmers, teachers, oil workers and many youngsters gathered in Plaza Murillo, in front of the government palace, to cheer for “el Evo”.

Morales dedicated his victory to anti-imperialist and anti-capitalist governments of Latin America and remembered Hugo Chavez, the former president of Venezuela, and Fidel Castro of Cuba.

Morales based his election campaign on the economic growth that Bolivia has experienced in his nine years in power, and the promise of turning the country into the energy centre of South America.

The president finished his campaign tour last Thursday in the sprawling city of El Alto, which is home to nearly a million high Andean plateau migrants and his main political bastion.

In front of tens of thousands of supporters, Morales announced the construction of a new oil refinery and a nuclear power station, which would be the first in Bolivia.

Tens of thousands of people waved blue, white and black chequered flags, the colours of MAS [Movimiento Al Socialismo], Morales(***) party. 
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In 2005, Evo Morales became the first indigenous president of Bolivia. Many (***)cholitas(***), indigenous women, admire him as a saviour. 
It is not uncommon to practice traditional rites in political demonstrations. A woman burns coca leaves while another cheers for Evo Morales. 
(***)Coar(***) [to burn coca leaves] is the way that Andean people ask the Pachamama goddess for her favour. This woman hopes Pachamama will bring Morales luck and prosperity in the elections.
(***)Todos somos Evo(***) [We all are Evo] was one of the most catchy slogans of the campaign.
At the rally in El Alto, Morales promised to turn Bolivia into the energy centre of South America.
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Young professionals, indigenous people, miners - the El Alto rally gathered people from every social stratum.
Patamanta is an Aymara indigenous town two hours away from La Paz, the political capital of Bolivia. 
It is compulsory to vote in Bolivia and vehicles are forbidden during the election day. In the rural areas, such as the Patamanta town in the high Andean plateau, people have to walk for hours to cast their vote.
Before Morales came to power, many indigenous communities felt separated from Bolivian society.
Evo Morales during celebrations at Plaza Murillo, in La Paz, four hours after the closing of the polls. Next to him, in blue shirt and black jacket is lvaro Garca-Linera, his vice president.
Despite vehicles being prohibited, a large number of MAS supporters gathered in Plaza Murillo for the celebration.
A man blows a shell to cheer for Evo in the La Paz victory party.
Evo Morales heads to his third term in office.

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