Indigenous rebels urge locals to vote in Mexico referendum

Indigenous rebels of Mexico's Zapatista movement called upon the Indigenous population to vote Sunday in a referendum on whether ex-presidents should be tried for any illegal acts they may have committed.

Locals in this Zapatista territory in Chiapas, which have self governed over a large swath of Mexico's southernmost state since the rebels rose up in arms to demand greater indigenous rights in January 1994, were being encouraged to vote "yes."

The National Electoral Institute set up 2,285 voting centers in Chiapas.

But self-defense groups prevented the installation of some polling stations in three municipalities of Chiapas.

One voting center in Altamirano appeared largely empty on Sunday.

President López Obrador pushed for the referendum.

He needs 40% of registered voters to participate — about 37 million people — to participate Sunday or the referendum won't be binding.

The president is unlikely to get that many out to vote.