LA PAZ (Reuters) – Bolivia’s interim government on Thursday enacted a law stipulating that deferred presidential elections will be held on October 18 as scheduled, despite calls by the opposition to move earlier.
He would impose corrupt consequences in any effort to replace the date.
Tensions are emerging as the South American country moves toward the resumption of a disputed October 2019 vote that sparked protests and prompted the resignation of former leader Evo Morales.
In July, Bolivia’s electoral court postponed elections until October 18 due to the coronavirus pandemic, however, Morales supporters are not easy for the vote to take place on 6 September. The dispute has led to protests and roadblocks.
The new law was temporarily rejected through Bolivia’s tough Workers’ Central (COB), a coordinating organization representing industries. COB executive leader Juan Carlos Huarachi said the law was “never passed by the people.”
The United Nations and the European Union, in a joint communiqué, expressed their October date.
The main election contenders are Morales’ Movement for Socialism (MAS) and fragmented conservative opposition, adding interim President Jeanine Anez, who took office last year promising new early elections.
(Reporting through Reuters TV and Daniel Ramos; written through Cassandra Garrison; edited through Cynthia Osterman)
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