The former President of Bolivia Evo Morales insists today on promoting the null vote in the general elections of 17 August next as a form of “democratic rebellion” against what he considers a “delegitimised” election.
Morales delivered a speech from the Chapare this Wednesday, on the occasion of the Bicentenary of Independence, in which he reiterated his criticisms of the government of President Luis Arce and called for political action.
During his address, he accused the current executive and state power structures of seeking to rebuild a democracy of elites, as occurred until 2006.
“A democracy without the people,” stated Bolivia’s first indigenous former head of state, “which denies us the right to elect and be elected,” he maintained in reference to his exclusion from the presidential contest by a decision of the Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal (TCP).
He considered that behind the “proscription of the people’s political movement” lie the same interests that previously promoted “plunder, the coup d’état,” alluding to the post-electoral revolts of 2019, which culminated in his resignation following a police mutiny and the ultimatum from former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Williams Kaliman.
He added that the forces vetoing his participation in the elections now seek to “hand over the lithium” and “destroy sovereign Bolivia.”
He commented that the social movements aligned with him are organising, deliberating and making political decisions.
“The null vote is a form of rejection of an election showing signs of nullity,” he reiterated.
He anticipated that the annulment of votes will become a kind of “electoral referendum,” pitting against one another “the principles we always defended.”
Morales concluded his address, broadcast by Radio Kawsachum Coca, with the warning that he would continue to lead his followers in battle.
“The struggle continues and we shall return with more strength, more awareness and greater unity,” he said, adding that this time it is not about resisting, “but about winning and winning.”
Authorities and spokespersons of the so-called national popular bloc criticise that Morales’s call for a null vote will favour the right wing, which would see its percentage of votes increase.
Some warn that this position could cause the end of the Plurinational State and a return to the racist Republic should the right wing gain control of two-thirds of the Legislative Assembly.
However, the indigenous former Avilanian dignitary reiterates that his struggle is for principles and not for positions.
The former head of state supports the initiative for a null vote in the general elections, following his disqualification as a presidential candidate due to the parties nominating him being annulled in rulings by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, after opinions issued by the TCP and owing to constitutional judgements that vetoed his aspirations.
