Earlier this month, we participated in a public dialogue which brought together experts, representatives of civil society organizations, Indigenous representatives and actors from the electoral ecosystem to discuss the role of electoral observation and the challenges of Bolivia’s political context in a reflection space organized within the framework of the PRO-Election Bolivia project, financed by the European Union through the Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI).
During the event, Carolina Floru, Senior Expert on Electoral Observation and Civil Society at ECES, presented the progress of our involvement in the country. In particular, she highlighted the importance of consolidating a plural ecosystem of electoral observation, capable of articulating efforts among public institutions, social organizations and international missions, thereby contributing to increased public trust and the prevention of electoral conflict.
Luis Castellar Maymo, Coordinator of the PRO-Election Bolivia Project, emphasized that observation networks help expand democratic oversight throughout the national territory, generating independent and reliable information on the conduct of elections while promoting active citizen participation in the defence of democracy.
Hernán Chali, President of the Oruro Departmental Electoral Tribunal, focused his presentation on the challenges of the political and institutional context and on youth political participation. He highlighted the role of Indigenous communities and described the Bolivian electoral landscape as one characterized by an increasing plurality of actors and greater political competition. This context requires strengthened capacities for risk prevention, as well as the promotion of dialogue spaces between institutions and civil society to contribute to peaceful and legitimate electoral processes.
The panelists agreed that technical support and assistance to civil society initiatives are essential to consolidate national capacities in electoral observation, political context analysis and the promotion of participation and respect for political rights.
Based on these principles, we continue to work alongside institutions and civil society organizations to strengthen citizen participation and consolidate trust in the country’s democratic processes.
