Bolivia Opposition boycots elections

Spokesman for the Bolivian presidency, Ivan Canelas, described as a boycott to next polls the changes to the new electoral system approved by opponents in the Senate.

These changes only contribute to ratify their interest in hindering the democratic process, Canelas told Patria Nueva Radio on Friday.

According to him, some of the proposals included in the opposition project are unacceptable.

Yesterday, opposition members imposed their majority in the Senate to replace the content of the initiative approved some days ago by the Chamber of Deputies, which is controlled by the ruling President Evo Morales-led Movement towards Socialism (MAS).

The opposition regulation includes blocking the vote of residents abroad by demanding a different electoral roll, as well as a reduction of indigenous seats in the future Congress (from 14 to 4) and the ignorance of regional votings of April 2010 and of the autonomous referendum this year.

Despite this opposition effort, we will continue working to fulfil the popular mandate expressed in the Constitution referendum of January 25 this year, stressed Canelas.

- Prensa Latina