OAS Emphasizes Importance of Citizen Participation in Upcoming Bolivian Elections

The Organization of American States' (OAS) Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) in Bolivia, led by Juan Fernando Cristo, has highlighted the significance of citizen participation in the country's democratic consolidation as the nation prepares for its upcoming elections on August 17. The OAS/EOM has emphasized the importance of responsible and committed actions from all stakeholders to ensure the normal development of the electoral process, which has been marred by concerns over potential interference.

Key Takeaways:

• The OAS/EOM has held meetings with President Luis Arce Catacora, members of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, and other public institutions to provide a comprehensive perspective on the electoral process.
• The Mission will observe the setup of polling stations, the conduct of the voting day, the counting of votes, and the presentation of preliminary results in all nine departments of Bolivia and four cities abroad: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Spain.
• This is the twenty-third OAS/EOM deployed in Bolivia, made possible through financial contributions from Canada, Chile, Colombia, Spain, the United States, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Peru.
• The OAS/EOM has urged all stakeholders to act responsibly to ensure the normal development of the electoral process and the consolidation of democracy in Bolivia.
• The Mission will provide a comprehensive report on the electoral process, highlighting best practices and areas for improvement.
• President Luis Arce Catacora has met with the OAS/EOM to discuss the electoral process and ensure transparency and fairness.
• The Supreme Electoral Tribunal, Plurinational Constitutional Court, and other public institutions have also held meetings with the OAS/EOM to discuss the electoral process.

Statistics:

• 23: The number of OAS/EOM deployments in Bolivia since the organization started providing electoral observation missions in the country.
• 9: Number of departments in Bolivia where the OAS/EOM will observe the electoral process.
• 4: Number of cities abroad where the OAS/EOM will observe the electoral process: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Spain.
• 10: Number of countries providing financial contributions to support the OAS/EOM in Bolivia: Canada, Chile, Colombia, Spain, the United States, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Peru.

Sources:

• Organization of American States (OAS), "Election Observation Mission in Bolivia"