Ecuadorians vote to halt oil drilling in biodiverse Amazonian national park

Referendum result protecting Yasuni reserve will benefit huge range of species as well as uncontacted' Indigenous peoples

Ecuadorians have voted in a historic referendum to halt the development of all new oilwells in the Yasuni national park in the Amazon, one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet.

Voters opted to safeguard the unique biosphere by a margin of nearly 20% with more than 90% of the ballot counted - with more than 58% in favour and 41% against, according to Ecuador's National Electoral Comission. Voting took place in the first round of presidential elections on Sunday.