The president of Electoral Tribunal DepartmentL (TED) of Cochabamba, Ruth Pontejo Claros, reported this Saturday night that all the electoral material for the general elections of this Sunday, August 17 was distributed in the department and is under shelter, guaranteeing its arrival to the vote enclosures.
At a press conference, Pontejo clarified that reports on an incident in the Municipality of Arque They correspond to an isolated event in a mining area and are not linked to the electoral process. “We want to point out that this court, in compliance with its work, has made the distribution of 100% of the electoral suitcases. Some are on their way to entering safe environments, where they will remain protected until the day of the election,” he said.
Preventive replication in Arque
The electoral authority explained that, as a prevention measure, the material destined for an arche community was temporarily retracted to the municipal capital, after reports of an incident unrelated to electoral logistics.
“The material did not run any risk and in a few hours will return to the corresponding enclosure with police and military custody. We have held conversations with authorities and leaders of the place, who guaranteed that the process will be developed normally,” he said.
Case context
Earlier, the Minister of Government, Roberto Ríos, informed that the electoral material that was addressed to the community of Cutimarca did not reach destination after the detonation of an alleged explosive device in the vicinity.
According to the authority, the custodians – an electoral notary and a military cash – heard the explosion and, in coordination with the TED, decided to transfer their suitcases to the capital of Arque to reinforce security and maintain the chain of custody.
“The material has been folded to ensure that tomorrow the population can go to vote in peace,” Ríos said. He added that conversations were held with leaders in the area to ensure the necessary conditions for the installation of the electoral table in Cutimarca.
Normality in the process
Pontejo emphasized that the rest of the distribution was developed without setbacks and that the 4,234 electoral suitcases of the department of Cochabamba are under strict security protocols, accompanied by police and military personnel.
“Tomorrow the suffrage tables will be installed normally throughout the department from 8:00 and, subsequently, the computer center will begin operating at 18:00,” he concluded.
Bolivians will go this Sunday, August 17 to choose the new national authorities.
