Bolivia’s Arce warns of coordinated efforts to undermine election results
Less than two weeks before Bolivia’s presidential run-off, President Luis Arce accused opposition groups and allies of former leader Evo Morales of trying to undermine the first-round results, warning this could trigger social unrest.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Arce denounced what he described as “coordinated actions” by lawmakers and political groups seeking to “obstruct or prevent” the second round of elections scheduled for 19 October. “We reject any reckless attempt to endanger democracy and the social peace of the Bolivian people,” he wrote.
His remarks followed a complaint filed by activist and former candidate Peter Beckhauser, who alleged “technological manipulation” in over 3,600 voting records from the 17 August election. Beckhauser claimed that votes intended for the opposition alliance Unidad and the Christian Democratic Party (PDC) were tampered with — accusations that have since been echoed by pro-Morales lawmakers.
Two deputies aligned with Morales’s faction — Renán Cabezas and Jerjes Mercado — have called for a special congressional commission to investigate the alleged irregularities. Arce, however, warned that any disruption to the electoral calendar or attempts to question the legitimacy of the vote could “trigger social convulsion and violent actions that Bolivians do not want.”
The president reiterated that his administration has fully supported the work of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, respecting the country’s institutions and the agreed timetable. With more than 7.9 million Bolivians set to vote both at home and abroad on 19 October, Arce urged political actors to uphold constitutional order, promising that his government — “together with the Bolivian people” — will remain “a vigilant guardian of democracy.”
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
