The head of the Supreme Electoral Court (TSE) of Bolivia confirmed that former President Evo Morales was denied registration as a candidate for the senatorial elections.
Earlier, the refusal to admit Morales to the elections was reported by the Deber newspaper, citing sources in the party of the former president, the Movement for Socialism (MAS).
“Due to the failure to meet the conditions of permanent residence, the court ruled that the senatorial candidate Evo Morales from the state of Cochabamba is invalid”, – said the head of TSE Salvador Romero at a press conference.
He added that the disqualification for the same reason also applies to the candidacy of Diego Pari, former head of the Foreign Ministry.
After the opposition, led by Carlos Mesa, claimed massive irregularities in the elections of 20 October 2019, Morales resigned as president under pressure from the military and left the country. He was followed by the resignation of the entire Bolivian top leadership and the transfer of power to the opposition Vice-Speaker of the Senate, Jeanine Agnès.
The authorities announced the holding of new presidential elections. Morales is not allowed to run as a candidate, he is in Argentina, from where he leads the presidential campaign of his “Movement for Socialism”. The date for the general election was set by the Bolivian Supreme Electoral Court on 3 May.