A bitter election. Accusations of fraud. And now second thoughts: A close look at Bolivian election
A bitter election. Accusations of fraud. And now second thoughts: A close look at Bolivian election data suggests an initial analysis that raised questions of vote-rigging — and helped force out a president — was flawed
By ANATOLY KURMANAEV AND MARIA SILVIA TRIGO
THE NEW YORK TIMES |
JUN 09, 2020 | 6:24 PM
FILE -- Supporters of Evo Morales, the former Bolivian president, protest the country's new caretaker government in Sacaba, Bolivia, Nov. 14, 2019. A close look at Bolivian election data suggests an initial analysis by the Organization of American States that raised questions of vote-rigging -- and helped force out Morales -- was flawed.
(Victor Moriyama/The New York Times)
As the preliminary vote count began, on Oct. 20, 2019, tensions ran high. When the tallying stopped — suddenly and without explanation — then resumed again a full day later, it showed Morales had just enough votes to eke out a victory.
Amid suspicions of fraud, protests broke out across the country, and the international community turned to the Organization of American States, which had been invited to observe the elections, for its assessment.
The organization’s statement, which cited “an inexplicable change” that “drastically modifies the fate of the election,” heightened doubts about the fairness of the vote and fueled a chain of events that changed the South American nation’s history. The opposition seized on the claim to escalate protests, gather international support, and push Morales from power with military support weeks later.
Now, a study by independent researchers, using data obtained by The New York Times from the Bolivian electoral authorities, has found that the Organization of American States’ statistical analysis was itself flawed.
More:
https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-nw-nyt-bolivian-election-evo-morales-20200609-saed5avz6fh5nlljn72n3co33a-story.html
