#Bolivianelections2020 - Possible Problems with the Voting Process
Bolivia Today ©
Security as well as the integrity of the vote, is the most important issue facing Sunday's Bolivian general elections. While this issue has always been somewhat important, last year's electoral fraud in October seriously affected the kind of confidence people had on the process. Not just Bolivian voters are deeply distrustful but also the international community. Now, the country has had a year to do everything it can to bring back that trust by implementing a series of measures aimed at doing just that. The organizing agency, TSE, has audited the voter list several time and has designed a very secure and transparent process to make sure there are no irregularities. Indeed, it seems the process is very secure, with police and military personnel accompanying the transport of the voting material as well as guarding it in sealed rooms until election day. On top of that, the voting and counting process include steps that makes it virtually impossible to temper with the results. For a detailed view of that process, please take a look at my prior post.
This post, is about voicing some possible problems that might arise in spite of all the precautions taken. In fact, these thought have nothing to do with the security or integrity of the voting process but they have everything to do with the ballot and the drop out candidates.
The Potential Problem
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| Source: OEP TSE website |
The voting ballot is divided into two rows. The row above or on top carries the colors, symbols, acronyms, candidates names for President and VP and the picture of the presidential candidate. As you correctly assume, this display must leave little doubt about for whom the voter is making its mark.
On the second row, below, the voter will have to chose among the local candidates, either a district candidate or what Bolivians know as "special" seat, which means an indigenous candidate representing a local indigenous group.
As you can see on the image on top, the position of each political organization (political party) has already been determined a while ago by a public draw in the offices of the TSE.
It is also determined, people will get instructed at the time of voting, they should fold the ballot right on the middle so as to not confuse themselves, starting with the presidential vote and then proceeding to the district vote.
What people will first see then is a row above with the colors, pictures and names of all presidential candidates, including that of their preferred candidate. After making their mark, they will turn the ballot to mark the box of their preferred local candidate.
The potential problem I am thinking about, yes two days before the election, is what happens when some candidates drop out, but their pictures, names and colors, etc., are still depicted in the ballot?
Recent Developments
In the course of some weeks, there have been three candidates who have dropped out of the race. The first one was Janine Anez (Juntos), who dropped out on September. And, just last week Jorge Quiroga (Libre 21) and Maria Baya (ADN) also dropped out of the race.
This means, neither the candidates nor the party are taking part in the elections anymore but their information is still on the ballots. The TSE printed the ballots a while ago. So, going back a couple of paragraphs, when the voter enters the voting booth, he or she will still see the faces, names and acronyms of these three parties.
Based on the assumption that "errors" happen, would it not be logic to think here there is room for mistakes?
What if a significant number of voters make the mistake of voting for such candidates?
I would assume, the officials will count that vote as null or voided.
But, what about the word I am using, significant? This could mean 100 thousand? In a close race that might be very "significant".
I know, I am purely speculating right now, but I think this is a speculation worth making.
That would only play right into the hands of people who seem interested in spreading doubts about the process.
If you quickly scan the Bolivian media right now, you will see there is persistent fear from all sides that things will turn violent. At least, this is the main commentary one reads coming from the international observers in Bolivia and abroad. The UN was the latest organization in calling for peaceful elections.
Further Thoughts
Now, I do not know, if the TSE has taken precautions already concerning this possibility. I have not seen anything about this on the media. I would like to assume they have, as I think they have thought this thoroughly. I do hope so.
