Bolivia (Plurinational State of)

Chamber of Senators

Political system: Presidential system
Structure of parliament: Bicameral
IPU membership: Yes

Election results

Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections.

Background

Election date(s): 18 Oct 2020
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature: No information available
Timing of election: No information available
Expected date of next elections: 31 Oct 2025
Number of seats at stake: 36
Scope of elections: Full renewal

Results

About the election: The Movement for Socialism (MAS-IPSP), led by exiled former President Evo Morales (see note), won a majority in both the 130 member Chamber of Deputies and the 36 member Senate, taking 75 and 21 seats respectively. The Civic Community coalition (CC, led by former President Carlos Mesa) and Creemos (We believe, led by Mr. Luis Fernando Camacho) shared the rest of the seats in both chambers. The number of women in the Senate increased from 17 (recorded in 2014) to 20, while levels in the Chamber of Deputies decreased from 69 to 60.

In the presidential elections held in parallel, former Finance Minister Luis Arce (MAS IPSP) was elected in the first round, promising a “government of unity” and a renewed “process of change”. The new President was sworn in on 8 November. The following day, former President Morales returned to Bolivia after a year in exile.

The 2020 elections were held after the annulment of a previous general election held in October 2019. Fresh elections were initially set for 3 May 2020 but were postponed twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They were held amid an economic downturn and a spike in unemployment triggered by the pandemic.

Note:

There were protests over alleged vote rigging after the October 2019 parliamentary and presidential elections. Following the protests, the then President, Evo Morales (who was seeking a fourth term), resigned and left the country in November 2019. His possible successors – the Vice President, Senate President and Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies – also resigned. Ms. Jeanine Áñez, the then second Vice President of the Senate, became interim President and led the country until the 2020 elections.

Mr. Morales filed his candidacy for the senate race in 2020 from Argentina. In February, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) rejected his candidacy, stating he did not meet residency requirements. The decision was confirmed by a court in September.
Number of parties winning seats: 3
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition: 58.3%
Alternation of power after elections: Not applicable
Number of parties in government: 1
Names of parties in government: Movement for Socialism (MAS-IPSP)

Parties or coalitions winning seats

Parties or coalitions winning seats
Political group	Total
Movement for Socialism (MAS-IPSP)	21
Civic Community (C.C)	11
Creemos	4

Members elected, by sex

Number of men elected: 16
Number of women elected: 20
Percentage of women elected: 55.6%
Women Directly Elected: 20
Other notes on the elections: Note on the Timing of election:

Elections held in October 2019 were annulled. The legislature which had been elected in 2014 continued to sit until the 2020 elections.
Sources: IPU Group (23.11.2020)

BBC

BBC Monitoring

AP

Reuters

New legislature

Total number of men after the election: 16
Total number of women after the election: 20
Percentage of women after the election: 55.6%
First-term parliamentarians: No information available
Percentage of first-term parliamentarians: No information available
Date of the first session: 03 Nov 2020

First Speaker of the new legislature

Personal details for the first Speaker of the new legislature: Andrónico Rodríguez (Male)
Date of birth: 11 Nov 1988
Political party: Movement for Socialism (MAS-IPSP)
Date of election: 04 Nov 2020