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Straits Times
6 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Polls close in Bolivia following steady turn out, few disruptions
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Electoral workers count votes at a polling station during the general election, in Entre Rios, Cochabamba, Bolivia. LA PAZ - Ballot stations have closed in Bolivia after millions took to the polls in a general election on Aug 17 that has been overshadowed by inflation at a four-decade high and the absence of former leftist President Evo Morales, who is barred from running. Initial results are expected after 9pm locally (9am Singapore time on Aug 18). If no presidential candidate wins more than 40 per cent support with a 10 percentage point lead, the election will head to a run-off on October 19. Voter turnout on Aug 17 was steady, authorities said. Despite earlier concerns that the electoral process in Bolivia could be obstructed by supporters of Mr Morales, who had called on the public to boycott the race, international observers said the vote took place without major disruptions. Head of the electoral mission of the Organisation of American States (OAS) in Bolivia, Mr Juan Fernando Cristo, said the elections proceeded 'normally' in a post on X. Earlier on Aug 17, several minor incidents took place at polling stations in the central region of Cochabamba, Mr Morales' political stronghold. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore NDR 2025 a rallying cry amid significant challenges facing Singapore, say analysts Singapore NDR 2025: The case for growing old at home in super-ageing Singapore Business Will Trump's tariffs end the bull run? Singapore Singapore-developed device for diabetics measures long-term average blood sugar levels within 6 mins Singapore N(T) students more likely to finish school, do as well in job market as N(A) peers: Study Business Singapore companies' debt surge in 2024: Sustainable or risky gamble? Singapore Arrested for drug abuse, former DJ now works for anti-drug group as part of DRC scheme Singapore NDR 2025: New govt-funded traineeship scheme for ITE, poly, university graduates Leading the race are opposition conservative contenders Samuel Doria Medina, a business magnate, and Mr Jorge 'Tuto' Quiroga, a former president, but neither commands more than 30 per cent support, opinion polls show, with around a quarter of Bolivians undecided. The August race marks the first time in almost two decades that polling indicates Bolivia's incumbent Movement for Socialism, or MAS, could face defeat. Support for MAS-affiliated and other left-leaning candidates trails the opposition, totalling around 10 per cent, according to the latest August Ipsos Ceismori survey. Nr Morales, who co-founded MAS and governed the country from 2006 to 2019 under its banner, has been barred from running for another term as president. Early on Aug 17, Mr Morales took part in the electoral process. He said he planned to annul his vote and criticised the elections for excluding his political movement. Full official results are due within seven days. Voters also elected all 26 senators and 130 deputies, and officials assume office on November 8. With a crowded field and no dominant MAS party candidate, the election marks a 'crossroads moment' for Bolivia, said Southern Andes analyst Glaeldys Gonzalez Calanche of the International Crisis Group. Bolivia's fragile economy is top-of-mind for voters. Price rises have surged past other Latin American countries in 2025, and fuel and dollars have run scarce. Annual inflation doubled to 23 per cent in June, up from 12 per cent in January, with some Bolivians turning to cryptocurrencies as a hedge. Many Bolivians, especially those who work in the informal economy, were now struggling to make ends meet, said economist Roger Lopez. 'Prices of the basic food basket are going up fast,' said Mr Lopez. 'Suddenly the math doesn't add up anymore.' They may choose to punish MAS on Aug 17, creating a window of opportunity for centrists, the right, or a leftist faction led by Senate President Andronico Rodriguez. 'Every year the situation has got worse under this government,' said Ms Silvia Morales, 30, from La Paz, who works in retail. A former MAS voter, she said this time she would cast her vote for the center-right. Mr Carlos Blanco Casas, 60, a teacher in La Paz, said he intended to vote for change. 'This election feels hopeful. We need a change of direction,' he said. Mr Quiroga has promised 'radical change' to reverse what he calls '20 lost years' under MAS rule. He supports deep public spending cuts and a shift away from alliances with Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua. Mr Quiroga was president for a year in 2001-2002 after the then-leader resigned. Ms Doria Medina, meanwhile, offers a more moderate approach, pledging to stabilise the economy within 100 days. On the left, the vote is split between the official MAS party candidate Eduardo del Castillo, who is backed by outgoing President Luis Arce, and Mr Rodriguez, who has distanced himself from the party and is running on his own ticket. Mr Morales, 69, has called for a boycott of the election, but analysts said his influence is waning. 'There is widespread support for these elections,' said Ms Calanche. 'Most Bolivians see them as key to leading the country towards economic recovery.' REUTERS
Al Jazeera
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Polls close in Bolivia as 20 years of leftist rule expected to end
Polls have closed in Bolivia's presidential and general elections, with the governing socialists expected to lose power after almost 20 years due to a deep economic crisis and division within the leftist coalition. Ballot stations shut at 4pm (20:00 GMT) on Sunday, with initial results expected after 9pm (01:00 GMT on Monday). The election is the first time in almost two decades that polling indicates Bolivia's incumbent Movement for Socialism (MAS) could face defeat. MAS-affiliated and other left-leaning candidates trail the right-wing opposition by about 10 percent, according to the latest Ipsos survey done in August. Eight presidential candidates are in the running – from the far-right to the political left. But two candidates appear to have a comfortable lead: Jorge 'Tuto' Quiroga, who served as interim president and vice president under former military ruler Hugo Banzer, and Samuel Doria Medina, a wealthy businessman and former planning minister. Medina, 66, and Quiroga, 65, are neck and neck, according to the polling survey. Former leftist President Evo Morales has been barred from running, and the outgoing socialist President Luis Arce, who had fallen out with Morales, opted out of the race. The electoral process 'has gone very, very smoothly so far, with only a few minor incidents,' said Al Jazeera's Latin America editor Lucia Newman, reporting from Santa Cruz. The general fears surrounding this election concern the possible repercussions of Morales's call to his supporters, who make up about 20 to 30 percent of the electorate, said Newman. 'They've been asked to vote nil or null [in this election], and if that happens, that could certainly disrupt the outcome because there are so many candidates and no one is expected to get enough' to proceed to a second round, she said. Divided left Eduardo del Castillo, who is backed by outgoing President Arce, is the official MAS party candidate. Andronico Rodriguez, who has distanced himself from the MAS party, is running as an independent. Morales, Bolivia's undisputed left-wing leader for the last 15 years, is holed up in his tropical stronghold, where he still leads the coca growers union. He has asked his followers to cast invalid votes. 'Brothers, we are on the right track. Absenteeism, blank ballots, undecided voters, all of it,' Morales told Radio Kawsachun Coca, his media outlet in the Bolivian jungle of Chapare, where he has been holed up for months among fiercely loyal coca-growing labour unions. If Morales leaves his tropical stronghold, he risks arrest on charges related to statutory rape. He denies the allegations. Official results are due within seven days. Voters will also elect all 26 senators and 130 deputies, and officials assume office on November 8. A run-off election will take place on October 19 if no candidate wins an outright majority. 'Worst crisis in a generation' The Andean country is struggling through its worst crisis in a generation, marked by annual inflation of almost 25 percent and critical shortages of dollars and fuel. The two frontrunners have pledged significant changes to Bolivia's big-state economic model if elected. Doria Medina, a millionaire former planning minister, made a fortune in cement before going on to build Bolivia's biggest skyscraper and acquire the local Burger King franchise. Seen as a centrist, he has promised to halt inflation and bring back fuel and dollars within 100 days, without cutting anti-poverty programmes. 'We will change everything, absolutely everything after 20 lost years,' said the tough-talking Quiroga, who trained as an engineer in the United States, during his closing rally in La Paz on Wednesday. Bolivia enjoyed more than a decade of strong growth and Indigenous upliftment under Morales, who nationalised the gas sector and ploughed the proceeds into social programmes that halved extreme poverty during his stint in power between 2006 and 2019. But underinvestment in exploration has caused gas revenues to implode, falling from a peak of $6.1bn in 2013 to $1.6bn last year. With the country's other major resource, lithium, still underground, the government has nearly run out of the foreign exchange needed to import fuel, wheat and other foodstuffs. Bolivians have repeatedly taken to the streets to protest rocketing prices and hours-long waits for fuel, bread and other basics.
GMA Network
11 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Bolivia votes as support for left wanes and inflation is top of mind
Bolivian presidential candidate Andronico Rodriguez of the Popular Alliance (Alianza Popular) party poses as he votes during the general election, in Entre Rios, Cochabamba, Bolivia, August 17, 2025. REUTERS/ Agustin Marcarian LA PAZ — Voters in Bolivia began taking to the polls in a general election on Sunday that has been overshadowed by inflation at a four-decade high and the absence of former leftist President Evo Morales, who is barred from running. Leading the race are opposition conservative contenders Samuel Doria Medina, a business magnate, and Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga, a former president, but neither commands more than 30% support, opinion polls show, with around a quarter of Bolivians undecided. The August race marks the first time in almost two decades that polling indicates Bolivia's incumbent Movement for Socialism, or MAS, could face defeat. Support for MAS-affiliated and other left-leaning candidates trails the opposition, totaling around 10%, according to the latest August Ipsos CEISMORI survey. If no presidential candidate wins more than 40% support with a 10 percentage point lead, the election will head to a runoff on October 19. Morales, who co-founded MAS and governed the country from 2006 to 2019 under its banner, has been barred from running for another term as president. Early on Sunday Morales took part in the electoral process, casting his vote in the central Cochabamba department, but later criticized the elections for excluding his political movement. Ballot stations opened on Sunday at 8 a.m. local time (1200 GMT) and will close at 4 p.m., with initial results expected after 9 p.m. Full official results are due within seven days. Voters will also elect all 26 senators and 130 deputies, and officials assume office on November 8. Officials on Sunday morning said that the election day was proceeding normally following several minor incidents reported at polling stations. Minister of Government Roberto Rios said that security measures had been effective and warned of misinformation about Sunday's vote. With a crowded field and no dominant MAS party candidate, the election marks a "crossroads moment" for Bolivia, said Southern Andes analyst Glaeldys Gonzalez Calanche of the International Crisis Group. Bolivia's fragile economy is top-of-mind for voters. Price rises have surged past other Latin American countries this year, and fuel and dollars have run scarce. Annual inflation doubled to 23% in June, up from 12% in January, with some Bolivians turning to cryptocurrencies as a hedge. Many Bolivians, especially those who work in the informal economy, were now struggling to make ends meet, said economist Roger Lopez. "Prices of the basic food basket are going up fast," said Lopez. "Suddenly the math doesn't add up anymore." They may choose to punish MAS on Sunday, creating a window of opportunity for centrists, the right, or a leftist faction led by Senate President Andronico Rodriguez. "Every year the situation has got worse under this government," said Silvia Morales, 30, from La Paz, who works in retail. A former MAS voter, she said this time she would cast her vote for the center-right. Carlos Blanco Casas, 60, a teacher in La Paz, said he intended to vote for change. "This election feels hopeful. We need a change of direction," he said. Quiroga has promised "radical change" to reverse what he calls "20 lost years" under MAS rule. He supports deep public spending cuts and a shift away from alliances with Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua. Quiroga was president for a year in 2001-2002 after the then-leader resigned. Doria Medina, meanwhile, offers a more moderate approach, pledging to stabilize the economy within 100 days. On the left, the vote is split between the official MAS party candidate Eduardo del Castillo, who is backed by outgoing President Luis Arce, and Rodriguez, who has distanced himself from the party and is running on his own ticket. Morales, 69, has called for a boycott of the election, but analysts said his influence is waning. "There is widespread support for these elections," said Calanche. "Most Bolivians see them as key to leading the country towards economic recovery." — Reuters
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First Post
18 hours ago
- Business
- First Post
Bolivia votes amid 40-year high inflation and divided opposition candidates
Bolivia heads to the polls on Sunday in a high-stakes election overshadowed by soaring inflation and the absence of former President Evo Morales. With no clear frontrunner and support for the ruling Movement for Socialism (MAS) at record lows, the vote could force a runoff. A man carries electoral material outside a polling station, ahead of the general election scheduled for August 17, in El Alto, Bolivia. Reuters Voters in Bolivia are gearing up for a general election on Sunday that has been overshadowed by inflation at a four-decade high and the absence of former leftist President Evo Morales, who is barred from running. Leading the race are opposition conservative contenders Samuel Doria Medina, a business magnate, and Jorge 'Tuto' Quiroga, a former president, but neither commands more than 30% support, opinion polls show, with around a quarter of Bolivians undecided. The August race marks the first time in almost two decades that polling indicates Bolivia's incumbent Movement for Socialism, or MAS, could face defeat. Support for MAS-affiliated and other left-leaning candidates trails the opposition, totaling around 10%, according to the latest August Ipsos CEISMORI survey. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If no presidential candidate wins more than 40% support with a 10 percentage point lead, the election will head to a runoff on October 19. Morales, who co-founded MAS and governed the country from 2006 to 2019 under its banner, has been barred from running for another term as president. Ballot stations open on Sunday at 8 a.m. local time (1200 GMT) and close at 4 p.m., with initial results expected after 9 p.m. Full official results are due within seven days. Voters will also elect all 26 senators and 130 deputies, and officials assume office on November 8. With a crowded field and no dominant MAS party candidate, the election marks a 'crossroads moment' for Bolivia, said Southern Andes analyst Glaeldys Gonzalez Calanche of the International Crisis Group. Bolivia's fragile economy is top-of-mind for voters. Price-rises have surged past other Latin American countries this year, and fuel and dollars have run scarce. Annual inflation doubled to 23% in June, up from 12% in January, with some Bolivians turning to cryptocurrencies as a hedge. Many Bolivians, especially those who work in the informal economy, were now struggling to make ends meet, said economist Roger Lopez. 'Prices of the basic food basket are going up fast,' said Lopez. 'Suddenly the math doesn't add up anymore.' They may choose to punish MAS on Sunday, creating a window of opportunity for centrists, the right, or a leftist faction led by Senate President Andronico Rodriguez. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Every year the situation has got worse under this government,' said Silvia Morales, 30, from La Paz, who works in retail. A former MAS voter, she said this time she would cast her vote for the center-right. Carlos Blanco Casas, 60, a teacher in La Paz, said he intended to vote for change. 'This election feels hopeful. We need a change of direction,' he said. Quiroga has promised 'radical change' to reverse what he calls '20 lost years' under MAS rule. He supports deep public spending cuts and a shift away from alliances with Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua. Quiroga was president for a year in 2001-2002 after the then-leader resigned. Doria Medina, meanwhile, offers a more moderate approach, pledging to stabilize the economy within 100 days. On the left, the vote is split between the official MAS party candidate Eduardo del Castillo, who is backed by outgoing President Luis Arce, and Rodriguez, who has distanced himself from the party and is running on his own ticket. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Morales, 69, has called for a boycott of the election, but analysts said his influence is waning. 'There is widespread support for these elections,' said Calanche. 'Most Bolivians see them as key to leading the country towards economic recovery.'
The Star
21 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Bolivia votes as support for left wanes and inflation is top of mind
LA PAZ (Reuters) -Voters in Bolivia are gearing up for a general election on Sunday that has been overshadowed by inflation at a four-decade high and the absence of former leftist President Evo Morales, who is barred from running. Leading the race are opposition conservative contenders Samuel Doria Medina, a business magnate, and Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga, a former president, but neither commands more than 30% support, opinion polls show, with around a quarter of Bolivians undecided. The August race marks the first time in almost two decades that polling indicates Bolivia's incumbent Movement for Socialism, or MAS, could face defeat. Support for MAS-affiliated and other left-leaning candidates trails the opposition, totaling around 10%, according to the latest August Ipsos CEISMORI survey. If no presidential candidate wins more than 40% support with a 10 percentage point lead, the election will head to a runoff on October 19. Morales, who co-founded MAS and governed the country from 2006 to 2019 under its banner, has been barred from running for another term as president. Ballot stations open on Sunday at 8 a.m. local time (1200 GMT) and close at 4 p.m., with initial results expected after 9 p.m. Full officialresults are due within seven will also elect all 26 senators and 130 deputies, and officials assume office on November 8. With a crowded field and no dominant MAS party candidate, the election marks a "crossroads moment" for Bolivia, said Southern Andes analyst Glaeldys Gonzalez Calanche of the International Crisis Group. Bolivia's fragile economy is top-of-mind for voters. Price-rises have surged past other Latin American countries this year, and fuel and dollars have run scarce. Annual inflation doubled to 23% in June, up from 12% in January, with some Bolivians turning to cryptocurrencies as a hedge. Many Bolivians, especially those who work in the informal economy, were now struggling to make ends meet, said economist Roger Lopez. "Prices of the basic food basket are going up fast," said Lopez. "Suddenly the math doesn't add up anymore." They may choose to punish MAS on Sunday, creating a window of opportunity for centrists, the right, or a leftist faction led by Senate President Andronico Rodriguez. "Every year the situation has got worse under this government," said Silvia Morales, 30, from La Paz, who works in retail. A former MAS voter, she said this time she would cast her vote for the center-right. Carlos Blanco Casas, 60, a teacher in La Paz, said he intended to vote for change. "This election feels hopeful. We need a change of direction," he said. Quiroga has promised "radical change" to reverse what he calls "20 lost years" under MAS rule. He supports deep public spending cuts and a shift away from alliances with Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua. Quiroga was president for a year in 2001-2002 after the then-leader resigned. Doria Medina, meanwhile, offers a more moderate approach, pledging to stabilize the economy within 100 days. On the left, the vote is split between the official MAS party candidate Eduardo del Castillo, who is backed by outgoing President Luis Arce, and Rodriguez, who has distanced himself from the party and is running on his own ticket. Morales, 69, has called for a boycott of the election, but analysts said his influence is waning. "There is widespread support for these elections," said Calanche. "Most Bolivians see them as key to leading the country towards economic recovery." (Reporting by Lucinda Elliott in Montevideo and Monica Machicao in La Paz, additional reporting by Camille Ayral in Mexico CityEditing by Daina Beth Solomon and Rosalba O'Brien)
