Bolivians Head to the Polls Amidst Deep Political Division and Economic Crisis

Bolivians Head to the Polls Amidst Deep Political Division and Economic Crisis

Bolivians are casting their ballots today, August 17, 2025, in a general election marked by profound political polarization, a severe economic crisis, and a palpable sense of uncertainty. The election will determine the country's next president, vice president, and members of the Plurinational Legislative Assembly.

Voting is reportedly underway across the nation, with polling stations opening this morning. Initial reports from major cities like La Paz, Cochabamba, and Santa Cruz suggest that voting is proceeding in a generally orderly, albeit tense, atmosphere. Election officials have been working to ensure that polling places are functioning as they should. For instance, most polling stations, known as mesas de sufragio, were reported to have opened on time, with citizen jurors (jurados electorales) in place. However, some isolated logistical issues, such as delays in the delivery of electoral materials to rural areas in the Potosí department, have been noted, though they do not appear to be widespread.

The lead-up to the election has been fraught with tension and sporadic violence. The deep schism within the ruling Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) party has been a primary source of instability. This has pitted supporters of former president Evo Morales, the so-called "Evistas," against the faction of the current president Luis Arce, known as the "Arcistas." This internal conflict has spilled into the streets, with notable clashes between these groups occurring in the Chapare region, a traditional stronghold for Morales, and during party congresses in El Alto.

In the months preceding the vote, there have been numerous protests and roadblocks, particularly from unions and civic groups demanding government action on the economy. For example, transport unions have organized strikes that paralyzed parts of Santa Cruz, protesting fuel shortages. Concerns have been raised by international observers, such as the mission from the Organization of American States (OAS), about the potential for unrest on and after election day.

While there have been no immediate widespread reports of major protests or violent incidents on election day itself, the underlying tensions remain high. Security forces, numbering over 50,000 police and military personnel, are on high alert, particularly in politically sensitive regions like Santa Cruz and the Tropic of Cochabamba. One of the significant signs of trouble is the call by some political factions for their supporters to cast null or blank votes as a form of protest. Civic committees, particularly in Santa Cruz, have promoted this "voto nulo" campaign to express dissatisfaction with all major candidates, which could complicate the interpretation of the election results and potentially lead to disputes over legitimacy.

Bolivians are voting today under the shadow of a severe economic crisis. This is felt concretely by citizens through persistent fuel shortages, which cause long queues at gas stations, and a scarcity of U.S. dollars, which complicates imports and business operations. The official inflation rate has been kept low, but unofficial estimates and the rising cost of basic goods in street markets tell a different story for many households. This economic hardship has been a central theme of the election campaign and is a major concern for voters.

The electoral process is being closely monitored by both national observers, like the non-profit Jubileo Foundation, and international missions from the OAS and the European Union. Their reports in the coming hours and days will be critical in assessing the fairness and transparency of the vote.

As the day progresses and initial results from the rapid-count system are expected this evening, the nation will be watching closely for any signs of irregularities or unrest. The ability of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal to manage the process effectively and the willingness of political actors to respect the results will be key to ensuring a peaceful transition of power.