Bolivian President Denounces Alleged Plan to Suspend Runoff Election
Bolivian President Luis Arce Catacora has accused the Plurinational Legislative Assembly of plotting to suspend the presidential runoff election scheduled for October 19, reports 24brussels.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Arce asserted that the plot involves the Senate hastily advancing a bill proposed by Senator Pedro Benjamín Vargas, affiliated with the opposition faction of the ruling Movement for Socialism (MAS) party. This legislation aims to remove and prosecute members of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE).
Arce stated, “We want to denounce that the Senate is attempting to approve and discuss, with dispensation from procedure and regulations, the bill presented by Senator Pedro Benjamín Vargas, which seeks to suspend the functions of the electoral officials in order to extend the term of office of the elected authorities, namely the president, vice president, deputies, and senators.”
He elaborated that the true intent behind removing the TSE justices is to prolong the term of currently elected officials by suspending the runoff on October 19. Furthermore, Arce indicated there is a parallel plan within the Lower House to further these objectives.
In response to these developments, the president reiterated his government’s commitment to democratic principles and the imminent transition of power on November 8 to the election winner. He has urged the international community to take notice of this threatening behavior toward democracy.
Arce has called on the Supreme Electoral Tribunal to convene a meeting involving the Executive, Legislative, Judicial, and Electoral branches, including the Public Ministry, to openly recommit to the democratic process.
He emphasized, “We as a government are present and we ratify our firm position against any plan that threatens democracy, as well as our unwavering decision to hand over the government on November 8 to whoever wins the elections that are currently underway.”
In light of Arce’s accusations, Senator Vargas has since requested the withdrawal of his controversial bill from the Senate agenda and its referral to the appropriate legislative committee. Arce implored the international community to publicly denounce the actions taken by certain deputies and senators in the Plurinational Legislative Assembly, labeling their conduct as driven by self-serving interests rather than the welfare of democracy.
