Bolivia distributes election materials under military protection ahead of polls
Bolivian authorities have begun distributing election materials to polling stations under military guard, as the country prepares for its August 17 general elections.
At the Florida National College in Santa Cruz, notary Ana Silvia Gomez Granados confirmed that ballot packages arrived under the supervision of Sergeant Major Emiliano Aruquipa. The electoral cases were sealed and stored overnight in a locked classroom.
“We have been given a custodian, Sergeant Aruquipa, who is here by my side,” Gomez said. “We locked and sealed the room where the electoral cases were placed, and now Mr Aruquipa will stay to guard them all night. The cases will be opened on Sunday at around 5 or 6 in the morning, once the jurors arrive. Without them we cannot open,” she told Viory.
Sergeant Aruquipa said both military and police officers had been trained to safeguard the electoral process in line with Bolivia’s constitution. “I will remain here until the conclusion of the general elections, until Sunday’s final ballot count, permanently here 24 hours a day,” he said.
The materials were transported from the Military Aviation College to designated polling stations across Santa Cruz. “Well protected, scanned, and never left unattended,” Gomez added.
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Authorities say military custody is intended to ensure transparency and public confidence.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
