Bolivian region in autonomy vote

Mr Morales's supporters have protested against the Santa Cruz vote

Bolivia's eastern region of Santa Cruz is holding a referendum on proposals to give it more control over land and taxes, and more decision-making powers.

The poll pits the European-descended elite in Santa Cruz against President Evo Morales's indigenous supporters.

The military has warned that Sunday's vote threatens the territorial integrity of the country and that it will ignore the result.

The government has said it considers the vote to be illegal.

Protesters reportedly blocked roads in eastern Bolivia ahead of the poll, saying they would prevent people from voting.

'Serious danger'

Mario Ayala Ferrufino, permanent secretary of the Supreme National Defence Council, told reporters that dialogue was urgently needed.

"We cannot dismiss that a serious danger exists, a threat to the territorial integrity (of Bolivia)," he said.

The BBC's Andres Schipani reports from Santa Cruz that the vote is pushing the country towards the brink of a deep crisis with both sides showing little sign of backing down.

Poll sparks crisis fears

Though the vote has fuelled fears of violence, the government has ruled out sending security forces and has asked indigenous groups and other government supporters not to interfere, our correspondent adds.

Opposition to Mr Morales stems from a reform programme that would grant greater powers and a bigger share of Bolivia's land and resources to the country's indigenous majority.

They have long been marginalised by the country's European-descended elite, our correspondent says.

Leaders in energy-rich Santa Cruz - home to about 25% of Bolivia's population - have demanded more control over their resources.

They feel threatened by a draft constitution that proposes to limit large land holdings.

Autonomy referendums are planned in several other departments.

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