A Bolivian TV network showing unofficial electoral results similar to what was later announced by electoral officials. Photo: Screenshot of Unitel YouTube live broadcast.
Bolivia’s general election day was characterized by calm without major incidents. The results published by the Preliminary Results System (Sirepre) placed right-wing candidate Rodrigo Paz of the Christian Democratic Party (PDC) at the top, with 32.08% of votes counted, equivalent to 1,546,892 total.
During a press conference announcing results on Sunday night, Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) President Ă“scar Hassenteufel stated the promise had been kept, and preliminary counts bear this out.
He thanked Bolivians for their civic integrity and support for the electoral body’s work. He emphasized that international observers’ support was fundamental to conducting the elections.
Results from the TSE summarize the data with 90.1% of votes counted by Sirepre:
• PDC – Rodrigo Paz: 32.08%
• Libre – Jorge Quiroga: 26.94%
• Unidad – Samuel Doria Medina: 19.93%
• AP – AndrĂłnico RodrĂguez: 8.11%
• Sumate – Manfred Reyes Villa: 6.63%
• MAS – Eduardo del Castillo: 3.14%
• AFP – Jhonny Fernández: 1.6%
• ADN – Pavel Aracena Vargas: 1.57%
The preliminary information showed 4,851,667 valid votes recorded, equivalent to 78.57% of votes counted, while null votes totaled 1,175,519, representing 19.04%.
The elections occurred in a complex political, economic, and social context. The Movement Toward Socialism (MAS), after governing for nearly two decades, appeared weakened by internal conflicts. This could have paved the way for neoliberalism’s return to power and dismantled Plurinational State achievements.
Bolivians voted for the president and vice president, 36 senators, 130 deputies, seven indigenous peasant deputies, and nine representatives to supranational bodies (one per department).
Authorities indicated that final official results should be ready within 72 hours. Final results for some departments could be confirmed tomorrow, depending on votes cast.
Rodrigo Paz Pereira of the Christian Democratic Party (PDC) and Jorge Quiroga of the Free Alliance will face a runoff, as reflected in Sunday night’s results.
Evo Morales’ “victory”
Evo Morales, leader of the Six Federations of the Cochabamba Tropics, considered the nullified vote percentage a victory. He undermined the winner’s legitimacy and announced a meeting on Wednesday to determine the next steps.
Sirepre data shows that null votes represented 19% of total votes. With 95% counted, nullified votes total 1.2 million, fewer than the leading candidates Rodrigo Paz (1.6 million) and Tuto Quiroga (1.3 million).
Polls Close in Bolivia After Almost Peaceful General Elections Day
Morales asserted that nullified votes won throughout Bolivia without acknowledging the most relevant fact, the leftist defeat.
“I congratulate Bolivians on this victory, where spoiled votes prevail. Congratulations,” the former president said at a Tropics rally.
Many analysts believe that the power struggle between President Luis Arce and Evo Morales caused the left’s defeat in Bolivia and will have disastrous consequences for Bolivians and Latin America’s regional balance.
Morales, prevented from running for the presidency by Luis Arce, was not a candidate. Arce’s control over most state institutions paved the way for Morales’ ban. For his part, Morales was not willing to join forces with AndrĂłnico RodrĂguez—who finished in fourth place—to present a solid leftist front capable of facing right-wing forces in a second round.
(Telesur) with Orinoco Tribune content
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/JRE/SF
