Q&A: Bolivia referendum

  • Published
This handout picture shows Bolivian a citizen with his dog casting his vote in the ballot box on 21 February, 2016 in La Paz, BoliviaImage source, AFP

Bolivians voted in a referendum on 21 February to decide whether to allow President Evo Morales to seek another term in office.

Grey line

What were the proposed changes?

An election judge shows the ballot to a voter on 21 February 21, 2016 in Huarina, 75 km from La PazImage source, AFP
Image caption,

Bolivians were asked whether they agreed with a change to Article 168 of the constitution

Bolivians were asked to vote on a change to the country's constitution. Presently, the president and vice-president are limited to two consecutive five-year terms.

Mr Morales, who has been in power since 2006, and his supporters wanted him to be able to run for another term.

Grey line

What was the outcome?

Demonstrators shout slogans against Bolivian President Evo Morales, demanding he concede, while waiting for the official results of a constitutional referendum outside a vote counting centre in La Paz on 23 February, 2016Image source, AP
Image caption,

Those opposed to the changes narrowly won

With almost all the votes counted, the "No" camp had a narrow but irreversible lead over those favouring another term for Mr Morales.

This means the constitutional ban on serving more than two consecutive five-year terms remains in place.

Grey line

How come Mr Morales is currently serving a third term?

Bolivian President Evo Morales answers questions from the press at Quemado palace in La Paz on 22 February, 2016Image source, AFP
Image caption,

Mr Morales was re-elected in 2014 with 61% of the votes

Despite the constitutional ban on serving more than two consecutive terms, President Evo Morales was allowed to run for a third term in 2014.

The constitutional court argued that the ban did not apply to Mr Morales' initial term because it had taken place before the new constitution came into effect.

Grey line

What will happen now?

Supporters of President Evo Morales wave Wiphala and Bolivian flags during a ceremony where Morales signed documents for the expansion of the road that connects the capital with the nearby city of El Alto, in La Paz, on 22 February, 2016,Image source, AP
Image caption,

There is still widespread support for Mr Morales

Mr Morales will now not be able to stand in presidential elections in 2019.

But he is expected to continue serving out the remainder of his term, which ends in 2020.

When provisional results suggested a win for the "No" campaign, Mr Morales said that "the fight will continue" and his administration would follow through with its plans.

Critics within his party hope he will start training up a potential successor, while opposition politicians see it as a chance to challenge the governing parties.

Grey line

What has been the reaction?

A handout picture made available by the Bolivian Information Agency (ABI) shows Bolivian President Evo Morales waving during a public event with indigenous people in Sica Sica municipality, 23 February 2016Image source, EPA
Image caption,

Mr Morales said before the final results were published that "the fight will continue"

Mr Morales said he had "lost a battle, but not the war".

There were celebrations in the eastern city of Santa Cruz, an opposition stronghold.

Many opposition politicians and some within Mr Morales's party said the outcome was a victory for democracy.

Former President Carlos Mesa said it showed that "no one is indispensable".

Samuel Doria Medina, who lost three times to Mr Morales in presidential elections said that Bolivia had won.

"They [the government] called this referendum and the people told them 'no'," he tweeted.

Grey line

Why did the 'No' vote win?

A man is seen walking next to a graffiti that reads "Evo no" after the referendum rejection in El Alto, Bolivia, on 21 February 2016.Image source, AFP
Image caption,

Allegations of influence peddling, which Mr Morales rejected, hurt the president's approval ratings

Mr Morales won the presidential election with 61% of the vote last year.

There is still widespread support for Mr Morales and his economic programme but many felt a change to the constitution was a step too far.

Some within the ranks of his own party also felt it was time for new, younger politicians to be given a chance to run.

The president's approval ratings were also hurt by recent allegations that he used his influence to favour a Chinese construction firm which employs his former girlfriend.

Mr Morales rejected the allegations and said he had nothing to hide. He ordered an investigation into how the contracts were awarded.