Referendum Revocatoria 2008

The national referendum was held on August 10th, 2008, as a sort of confidence vote in the leadership of the President, Vice President and each of the prefecturas (provincial premiers) roughly halfway through their terms. Heather volunteered as an international election observer through the Canadian Embassy, and visited a total of five voting stations with a group of about 30 other observers. We observed 3 sites in La Paz and 2 sites in rural areas, as a large group, moving around by a charter bus. I felt somewhat like an election tourist. Generally the process seemed free and fair, with few irregularities notes. The only one I noticed was campaign materials for MAS party at a voting site, which is not permitted. There were no vehicles in the streets for election day -- very peaceful! Other colleagues who observed with the Organization of American States were placed in one voting site from the opening through closing and counting of the ballots, and tended to see more irregularities than did my group. I was impressed with the work of the Corte Nacional Electoral -- professional, focused, and transparent about some of the deficiencies of their system, particularly in voter registration.

Unfortunately, the continued mandate for the President's leadership confirmed in the referendum has not led to peace and stability for Bolivia. Another national referendum is planned for December -- this time regarding constitutional change which would see some land reform. Tensions mount as the resource-rich provinces of the east are vocally (and sometimes violently) resisting this next national vote. Democracy in Bolivia is participatory, and rocky.