EU deploys Short-Term Observers to reinforce election observation ahead of the October 19 runoff

EU deploys Short-Term Observers to reinforce election observation for the second round

The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) deployed today a group of 44 Short-Term Observers across Bolivia's nine departments, reinforcing its presence ahead of the presidential runoff scheduled for 19 October.

These observers join the 32 long-term observers who have been carrying out their work observing the presidential runoff across the country for the past week. On Election Day, more than 120 European Union observers will be deployed nationwide - a number that includes the European Parliament delegation and diplomatic representatives of EU Member States present in Bolivia, as well as observers from Canada, Norway, and Switzerland.

The Short-Term Observers took part in an intensive training session in La Paz prior to deployment, where they received updated information on the political and electoral context, as well as training on security, voting procedures, and the EU's standard observation methodology.

The observer teams will be deployed throughout all departments to systematically observe - without interfering - the conduct of the electoral process. Their work will cover the opening of polling stations, voting, closing, counting, and transmission of results, in line with the European Union's standardized methodology.

The EU EOM carries out its work independently and neutrally, in accordance with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and its Code of Conduct, ensuring the impartiality of all its observers.

The deployment of this new group marks the final phase of the European observation ahead of the runoff, with the goal of providing a comprehensive and independent assessment of the transparency, credibility, and integrity of Bolivia's electoral process.