Bolivia's Morales elected to third term: exit polls

He finished nearly 40 points ahead of his nearest rival Samuel Doria Medina

Bolivian President Evo Morales was elected to a third term with more than 60 per cent of the vote, avoiding a runoff against a divided opposition, exit polls said.

Morales, who took office in 2006 as the country's first indigenous president, finished nearly 40 points ahead of his nearest rival across the country, found pollsters Ipsos and Equipos Mori.

They found the runner-up was wealthy cement magnate Samuel Doria Medina with around 20% of the vote.

Morales's Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) is also expected to win a strong majority in Congress to continue implementing leftist reforms that have so far included nationalising the oil and gas sectors and expanding welfare programs in one of Latin America's poorest countries.

Partial official results with about 70% of all ballots counted were expected to be released around midnight (0400 GMT), according to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal.

If confirmed, Morales will extend his time in office to 14 years, until January 2020, after Bolivia's Supreme Court ruled last year that his first term was exempt from a new constitution adopted in 2009 that imposed a limit of one re-election for sitting presidents.

Morales, who rose to prominence as a union leader fighting for the rights of the country's coca growers, has brought sweeping changes since taking office in 2006.

His government has nationalised the oil and gas sectors and expanded welfare programs.

The economy grew 6.8 per cent last year and is forecast to grow more than five per cent this year, one of the fastest rates in Latin America.