Bolivian President Evo Morales has hailed his party's success in regional elections but exit polls suggest he has suffered some setbacks.

Pro-government candidates were on course to win in five out of nine provinces, with one too close to call.

But the opposition seemed set to keep three eastern provinces, which contain much of Bolivia's natural resources.

Pro-government candidates won mayoral elections in three major cities but lost in La Paz, the seat of government.

Sunday's elections were for more than 2,500 provincial and local authorities.

The success of his candidates shows Mr Morales is still one of Latin America's most popular leaders. However, he lost some key municipalities and continues to be frustrated by opposition governors in some of the eastern lowland states.

Still, Mr Morales has managed to marginalise most of the opposition and holds a comfortable majority in Congress.

The real question now is whether the MAS will fragment - and whether Bolivia's politics will see battles within an all-powerful party that faces no clear or united opposition.

Official results will not be published until next week but candidates for the governing MAS (Movement Towards Socialism) party appeared to be on course for victories in five provinces: La Paz, Cochabamba, Oruro, Potosi, and Chuquisiaca.

Mr Morales also claimed victory in Pando, where exit polls showed a near-tie.

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