During the early exit polls on Sunday, it was indicated that Bolivia’s presidential race is on target for another round, meaning the governing left-wing party is about to witness its most significant defeat in decades.
Surprisingly leading the polls is independent centrist candidate Senator Rodrigo Paz with over 32% of the vote.
Coming in second was Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga, a right-wing former president, with approximately 26% of the vote.
Samuel Doria Medina, a businessman who was predicted to be first in pre-election polls, has fallen to third place.
The ruling Movement for Socialism (MAS) party seems on track to losing power after nearly two decades of control.
Bolivia is preparing for an unprecedented presidential runoff. The candidates require more than 50% of the vote, or above 40% with a margin of 10% over the next closest candidate, to avoid a runoff.
This year’s general election is influenced by the most severe economic crisis in four decades, along with the absence of former leftist President Evo Morales.
The outcome of Sunday’s election could signify the end of left-wing dominance in Bolivian politics, which has been defined by the MAS party for the last two decades.
Morales, the first Indigenous president and the country’s longest-serving leader, 2006 to 2019, is ineligible to run due to a recent court ruling that he had already reached his two-term limit.
The outgoing socialist President, Luis Arce, who had a falling out with Morales, decided not to pursue re-election due to his dwindling popularity.
Luis Arce opted for a ministerial candidate, Eduardo del Castillo, to represent the MAS party, but projections indicate that he only garnered just over 3% of the vote.
Morales, dwelling in his political stronghold, advises his supporters to cast blank votes in protest against his disqualification, as he is currently wanted on charges related to a past sexual affair with a minor.
(Edited by: Dmytro Hubenko)
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/bolivia-s-elections-headed-for-first-presidential-runoff/a-73674414?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
