Bolivia's Morales expected to ride economic stability to easy third-term victory

A supporter of Bolivia's President Evo Morales, who is running for re-election with the Movement Toward Socialism, MAS, attends the closing campaign rally in El Alto, Bolivia, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014. Bolivia will hold general elections on Sunday. (AP Photo/Juan Karita) (The Associated Press)

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People gather in Plaza Murillo where the cathedral and government offices are located in La Paz, Bolivia, Friday, Oct. 10, 2014. Bolivia will hold general elections on Sunday. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia) (The Associated Press)

A bread vendor sits against a wall covered with campaign posters promoting Bolivia's President Evo Morales, who is seeking re-election under the Movement Toward Socialism Party, MAS, in El Alto, Bolivia, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014. Bolivia will hold general elections on Sunday. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia) (The Associated Press)

EL ALTO, Bolivia – Bolivian President Evo Morales seems certain to win an unprecedented third term in Sunday's presidential elections. He's become such an institution that stadiums, markets, schools, state enterprises and even a village have been named in his honor.

The country's first indigenous president long ago capitalized on his everyman origins, anti-imperialist rhetoric and his party's consolidation of control over state institutions. But his staying power may best be credited to the country's accompanying economic and political stability.

Since Morales first took office in 2006, a boom in commodities prices has increased export revenues ninefold, the country has accumulated $15.5 billion in international reserves and economic growth has averaged 5 percent annually, well above the regional average.