Statement of Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner on the Constituent Assembly Elections and to the Referendum on Regional Autonomy elections in Bolivia, 2 July 2006

Following the announcement of the official results of the Bolivian elections and referendum, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy, has said:
"I am pleased to see that on 2 July Bolivia and its citizens exercised their democratic rights with responsibility and dignity in an election managed professionally by the electoral authorities.
This historic election has seen Bolivians elect 255 of their peers, representing President Morales’ Movimiento al Socialismo and a range of opposition parties and social movements, who will have the opportunity to work together over the coming months on the basis of dialogue and compromise in undertaking the process of constitutional reform. This will undoubtedly help to strengthen and invigorate Bolivian democracy.
I congratulate the members of the Constituent Assembly on their election and wish them well as they begin working towards proposals which reflect Bolivia’s diverse peoples and cultures.
We are also confident that the outcome of the Referendum on Regional Autonomy will set the scene for the Constituent Assembly to debate and formulate a model for regional autonomy which reflects the diversity of views expressed by the electorate.”

Background

Bolivians were invited on Sunday 2 July 2006 to designate their representatives to a Constituent Assembly, which will be charged with drafting a new Constitution for the country; and to express their view on providing for regional autonomy within the new Constitution. These polls were an especially important opportunity for the Bolivians. They are a key milestone in the country’s democratic path and they can bring extensive changes in the balance of political, economic and social power.

A European Unión Election Observation Mission (EU EOM), headed by MEP Monica Frassoni, which was present at the request of the Bolivian Government, has deployed more than 100 observers across the country to monitor the polls. The Mission issued its preliminary findings and conclusions in La Paz on 4 July. The EU EOM concluded that "The electoral process complied with international standards and national legislation, especially in the areas of freedom of expression and transparent election administration. The EU EOM welcomed the high participation of Bolivian voters, confirming the commitment of the Bolivian authorities and citizens to democratic and genuine elections in Bolivia." Shortcomings observed, notably in relation to information to the electorate on the election process, voter registration and voting procedures, did not substantially affect the overall positive assessment.

The mission will remain in the country to observe and report on the post-election period.
For more information:

http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/bolivia/intro/index.htm