Bolivia's Election Postponement: A COVID-19 Emergency Or A Political Strategy?

JAKARTA - The increasing epidemic of COVID-19 has delayed the general election (Election) in Bolivia. Elections that were supposed to be held on September 6 have been pushed back to October 18.

Bolivia's High Court head Salvador Romero said the postponement was made to ensure the safety of voters. COVID-19 has taken its toll, overwhelming hospital officials and burial sites.

"This election requires the highest possible health security measures to protect the health of the Bolivian people," said Romero, quoted by Reuters, Friday, July 24.

The former President of Bolivia, Evo Morales, has a different view. Through Twitter, he views postponement of the election will only endanger the people.

Morales saw this politically. According to him, the postponement of the election was nothing more than the steps and tactics of his opponents to get more time to gather votes.

El Tribunal Supremo Electoral pretend from un golpe a la democracia al no respetar la ley ni la Asamblea Legislativa Plurinacional. Hasta el regimen de facto reconoce que es la Asamblea la que debe fijar el plazo.

- Evo Morales Ayma (@evoespueblo) July 23, 2020

Morales blamed the interim government for the postponement of the elections and how the government implemented measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. A federation of coca farmer groups - Bolivian local crops - shares the same view as Morales.

The federation added that if the postponement decision was not lifted within 72 hours, they would stage demonstrations to the streets. They also said they would blockade roads which are an important trade route.

For Bolivia's 11.5 million citizens, elections are key to the country's political future. Last year's general elections in Bolivia led to massive protests that saw Bolivia's number one at the time, Evo Morales leave the position of leader of the country.

In a vacancy, right-wing lawmaker Jeanine Anez has been president of Bolivia for the time being. Anez, who initially had no interest in participating in the election, surprisingly participated in the election.