The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) admitted a complaint against the Frente Para la Victoria (FPV) and the Partido de Acción Nacional Boliviano (PAN-BOL). The complaint was filed by Peter Erlwein Beckhauser. It is based on Law 1096 of Political Organizations, which means both parties could lose their legal status.
The TSE's decision implies that FPV and PAN-BOL have five business days to present their defense. If they fail to reverse the situation, they will be out of the elections. This measure is based on Article 58 of the mentioned law, which states that parties must reach at least 3% of the votes.
In the 2020 elections, FPV only obtained 1.55% of the votes. PAN-BOL reached just 0.99%, and according to current regulations, these results are insufficient to maintain their registration. The admission of the complaint casts doubt on their participation in the upcoming elections.
TSE member Tahuichi Quispe confirmed the situation in an interview. He indicated that both parties are at risk of being removed from the electoral roll. He recalled that Law 1315 of 2020 temporarily suspended the application of Article 58, but that suspension is no longer in effect.
The former dictator Evo Morales recently signed a alliance with FPV. Morales seeks to run for president in the August elections. However, the Constitutional Court has already disqualified him for a new term, and the admission of the complaint could affect his political plans.
Morales denounced the situation as an attempt to block his unconstitutional candidacy. He claimed that the government and his opponents do not want to allow him to participate, criticizing the admission of the complaint on his social media. According to him, it is a political action against him.
The government has denied any intervention in the process and claims that the TSE is only complying with current regulations. Former President Jeanine Áñez also spoke on the matter. She asserted that Law 1315 doesn't prevent the application of Article 58.
Some analysts consider the TSE's decision to be correct. Former deputy William Cardozo stated that the law must be followed without exceptions and said that FPV and PAN-BOL did not meet the minimum requirements. He asserted that parties without support should not remain active.
