Last week, as part of our project in Bolivia, funded by the European Union through the Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI), we supported the Departmental Meeting “Towards Electoral Reform” in Cobija. Pando became the eighth department in Bolivia to contribute to the nationwide consultation and participatory process aimed at developing proposals to update electoral legislation, improve electoral processes, and strengthen democratic institutions.
Convened by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) and the Departmental Electoral Tribunal (TED) of Pando, the meeting brought together representatives from electoral and public institutions, political and social organisations, universities, the media and civil society.
It was inaugurated by the President of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, Gustavo Ávila Mercado, and the President of the Departmental Electoral Tribunal of Pando, Jorge Jesús Justiniano Méndez, with the participation of national and departmental electoral authorities.
Representatives of the Pando Departmental Government, the Municipal Government of Cobija, the Departmental Legislative Assembly, the Public Prosecutor's Office, municipal governments, judicial institutions, political and social organisations, universities, the media, civil society, and the Observa Bolivia Network also attended.
We were represented by our experts in the field: Carolina Florú, expert in democratic governance, and Katia Uriona, our Gender and Violence against Women in Politics Expert. They supported the dialogue and the development of proposals reflecting Pando’s specific territorial, social, and cultural context.
Thematic working groups examined the main challenges facing Bolivia’s electoral system. Recommendations included strengthening the capacities of the Plurinational Electoral Body (OEP), particularly the Civic Registry Service (SERECI), and improving the security, transparency and traceability of electoral results.
Discussions also addressed gender parity, political violence against women and inclusive political participation, as well as Indigenous peoples’ autonomy and the specific characteristics of the Amazon region. Participants also examined digital political advertising, disinformation, artificial intelligence in electoral campaigns and transparency in political financing.
The proposals gathered in Pando will contribute to the nationwide “Towards Electoral Reform” process, supporting the development of more inclusive, transparent and effective electoral legislation that reflects Bolivia’s territorial diversity and strengthens public confidence in electoral institutions.
