The people of Bolivia have not stopped civil unrest in the midst of a controversial election. On October 20th, polls opened up, some of the eligible voters denouncing President Evo Morales who has been in power for almost 14 years. Bolivians were outraged with Morales’ inaction towards the raging wildfires in the eastern Bolivian Amazon, which to led millions of people in the streets on October 4th. Not only were Bolivians upset by Morales’ reaction to the government-preventable wildfires, but also by the implementation made by the Morales administration to have a fourth consecutive term, ensuring his possible re-election.

Morales removed term limits which allowed him to run for a fourth term. And despite a 2016 referendum that voted against getting rid of term limits, his administration blatantly ignored the people’s votes. Since the initial protests on October 4th, hundreds of thousands of people from grassroots movements have protested in La Paz, Oruro, and at voting stations in defiance of Morales’ re-election, environmental inaction and corruption. This makes the 2019 re-election of Morales a more controversial election than ever.

In the 2006 election, the MAS (Movement towards Socialism) party and the Morales ticket promised a new voice in Bolivian politics. He won the election, being the first Indigenous leader as president. However, his actions and policies proved to demonstrate a different vision of environmental protection than the people voted for. His administration has allowed oil drilling to overtake protected land, violating indigenous rights.

On October 20th, election day, the police of Santa Cruz raided and detained 100 people of a Morales opposition party’s headquarters without an explanation. Voting locations have been changed without proper notice. Some voting ballots were premarked voting for the MAS party. Violations of voters’ rights have included not allowing voters to take pictures of the election counting results.

21/10/2019 POTOSÍ, BOLIVIA: Marco Antonio Pumari (Comcipo) and his directing found many voting ballots on a private residence that was guarded by police. #ElectionsBolivia #EleccionesBo2019 https://t.co/mQFjZ4kMkl — Bolivian Elections 2019 (@2019Bolivian) October 21, 2019

Opposing Morales in the election are former President Carlos Mesa and Senator Oscar Ortiz, who has been vocal against the Morales’ administration. Carlos Mesa, of the Comunidad Ciudadana party, was president from 2003 to 2005. He founded the Bolivian Film Institute as a journalist. Mesa has been vocal in denouncing Morales’ action expanding term limits. Senator Ortiz, a member of the Bolivia Says No party, has represented Santa Cruz for 8 years, and he is the youngest candidate up for election. In order for a presidential candidate to be elected, a candidate must receive 50% or more of the vote or receive 40% of votes and have a 10 point lead compared to the next candidate. If a candidate does not do so, there will be a runoff election taking place on December 15th.

By the time votes were counted last night, 45.3% of the votes went to Morales with Mesa earning 38.2% of votes, which means a runoff election is anticipated. Morales has never faced a runoff election in his time as president. In this second and final part of the election, his fragmented opposition has the opportunity to rise against his near 14 years of rule.

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