LA PAZ, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Bolivian leader Evo Morales repeated his claim that he had won victory in a presidential election and railed against the opposition for trying to orchestrate a “coup” after mass protests claiming the vote was being rigged.

The official vote count on Tuesday morning showed Morales with 46.49% of the vote, about 9.5 points ahead of main rival Carlos Mesa, but just short of the 10-point lead necessary to win outright and avoid a riskier second round run-off.