Bolivia court declares Morales winner of disputed poll

Bolivia’s electoral tribunal concluded its count of general election votes on Friday and confirmed the controversial re-election of President Evo Morales despite opposition accusations of fraud.

AFP reports that Sunday’s election sparked days of riots and protests after a sudden shift in the vote count on Monday extended Morales’s lead over Carlos Mesa, helping him achieve the 10-point margin needed for outright victory.

With all the votes now counted, Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) president, Maria Eugenia Choque, read out the final results giving Morales 47.08 percent and Mesa 36.5 percent — just enough for the incumbent to avoid a second-round runoff.

“Bolivia’s electoral system is completely transparent,” said Idelfonso Mani, one of the TSE’s magistrates.

Mesa, who’s accused the government of “fraud” has already said he won’t accept the results.

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Fresh clashes between rival groups broke out on Friday, while protesters draped in Bolivia’s red, yellow and green flag blocked roads in La Paz with barricades of tires, rope and trash cans as they demanded their “vote be respected.”

The official result means Morales, who turns 60 on Saturday, has won a fourth successive term despite the constitution he promulgated in 2009 limiting presidents to two mandates.

Backed by a collective of centrist and right-wing parties, Mesa, who ruled the South American nation from 2003 to 2005, has called on his supporters to maintain street protests.

“The strike is unlimited. We want a second-round because it’s clear there’s been fraud,” consultant Ruben Lopez, 62, told AFP.

“The OAS and EU saw there was massive cheating.”

 

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