Socialist mayor Eva Copa obstructed Jaime Dunn's registration

Presidential candidate Jaime Dunn reported that his candidacy is at risk due to the El Alto City Hall. For more than a month, he has been waiting for a key certificate that has not been issued by that institution. This is the fiscal solvency report that must be sent to the Comptroller's Office.

Without that document, Dunn can't officially register as a candidate. Time is running out and  the bureaucracy shows no signs of a solution.

Dunn represents the Nueva Generación Patriótica (NGP) alliance, which already recognizes him as its candidate. However, his name still doesn't officially appear on the lists of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal.

The pending procedure is related to his time at the Autonomous Municipal Government of El Alto nearly 25 years ago. He worked there between 2000 and 2005 under the administration of José Luis Paredes. That's why he needs the city hall to certify that he has no outstanding debts.

The problem, according to Dunn, is that the document doesn't depend directly on the Comptroller's Office. That entity can only issue the solvency if it receives the necessary information from the institutions where the candidate worked.

In his case, the El Alto City Hall was supposed to send the background information. However, it has not done so despite repeated requests. Dunn believes that this omission is not accidental.

The El Alto city hall has not delivered the document 

From the El Alto municipality, legal advisor Isaac Mauricio stated that Dunn has outstanding accounts with that institution. He assured that there are at least 33 proceedings initiated since 2006.

Although some may have already been closed, others are still ongoing. He also said that the Comptroller's Office notified Dunn with a 20-day deadline to pay his debt. According to the official, the candidate did not fulfill that obligation.

Meanwhile, the mayor, Eva Copa, disclaimed any responsibility, stating that Dunn's process has lasted twenty years.  "He's not going to come and tell me to solve it in twelve days as he wants", said the El Alto authority. 

Dunn denied having been notified about a payable amount or about finalized charge orders. He clarified that there is no ruling preventing him from exercising political rights. He emphasized that his case is not judicial but administrative.

He also reported that the City Hall doesn't respond to the Comptroller's official requests. He even said that courts and other entities also can't find the necessary files.

The situation worsened because this Wednesday, June 25, was the deadline for submitting candidate photographs. Those images must appear printed on the ballots.

Dunn stated that what is at risk is his face on the ballot, not his candidacy. He recalled that the deadline to substitute candidates is July 3. Still, he noted that his party has waited until the last day for his qualification.

Socialist bureaucracy

The NGP political force registered Fidel Tapia as a provisional candidate while Dunn's procedure was being solved. If he manages to obtain the certificate, the change will be made before the TSE.

However, this could mean that his photo doesn't appear on the ballot. Dunn said he is prepared for that possibility. He assured that, even if his image is not there, his name will appear.

The candidate pointed directly to bureaucracy as a tool of political control. "A court order or a criminal proceeding doesn't stop me, it's simply a piece of paper", he stated.

He also considered that this obstacle reflects the use of the state apparatus to block emerging candidacies. He added that he feels like a victim of a structure designed to exclude. "This has become an invisible wall", he declared.

Dunn also revealed that he has already spoken directly with Mayor Eva Copa. He indicated that he asked her to act in accordance with the law.

However, despite the verbal commitment, there was no concrete progress. He insisted that there is an institutional will not to cooperate. He complained that it is not fair to bear the burden of past mistakes without updated evidence or a firm resolution.

Attempting to prevent his participation

The candidate valued the role of the State Comptroller's Office, which he considers proactive in this process. He said that the blockade comes from other state institutions. He specifically mentioned the slowness of the El Alto Municipal Government (GAMEA) and of courts that have not replied in time.

In his opinion, there is no will to solve. He believes that the aim is to exhaust the deadlines to prevent his registration.

"This is not just against me, it's against all citizens who trust in a serious democracy", he stated. According to Dunn, his case symbolizes the failure of the institutional system. He regretted that partisan politics prevails over individual rights.

He also stated that many Bolivians face similar problems. He said that his story reflects what thousands experience in daily procedures.

Dunn recently participated in forums and events, including the one organized by the TSE on June 16. There, he was presented as a presidential candidate by NGP. His presence caused expectations among supporters and political observers.

The possibility that his candidacy could be excluded due to an administrative omission is causing concern. Several voices consider this a serious example of bureaucratic exclusion.

The economist from Camiri said he is encouraged by the citizen support he receives. He assured that he will continue fighting until the last possible recourse. He even raised the possibility of appealing legally if his rights are violated.

He believes that there is still time to solve the issue before July 3. "My face may not be there, but democracy must be present," he added.