Observations: Bolivia's (unread) constitution

"If the electorate did not read the new constitution, on what basis did they vote?"

This week Bolivians expressed their opinion about the country's controversial new constitution. Opinion is perhaps the wrong word. In fact, the time of citizens carefully formulating their views is over, now all a voter does is turn up and cast a simple Yes or No.

Regardless, on election morning I had the opportunity to visit three polling stations in La Paz. All of them where characterized by a relaxed atmosphere. People walking their dogs passed by with their identity cards. Children played among the short queues of voters. Neighbours greeted one another. Numerous policemen were present in the streets to guarantee a smooth implementation of the electoral process.

Posters clarified the process in the best possible manner. Foreign observers were present in the station I visited. On my tour along the polling stations I accompanied the president of the Bolivian Foundation for Multiparty Democracy, the main NIMD ally in Bolivia, Mr Guido Riveros Franck. His foundation focusses on the dialogue between political parties. He is proud to be working with governing and opposition parties. Independent of the result of the referendum, which is likely to be an approval of the new constitution, the dialogue between the various political parties will have to continue, acoording to Mr Riveros.

So if the entire electorate did not read the new constitution, on what basis did they vote? The majority of Bolivians have probably used the referendum to express their views about the current president of Bolivia, Evo Morales.

Mr Morales, an aymara, is popular among many Bolivians, especially those that are considered to be indigenous people. For hundreds of years they have been considered second-class citizens, without equal access to power, to government services or to the labour market. The past years have seen a tremendous change in their position. Government funds were spent of the improvement of their living conditions. At the same time the government Mr Morales expressed very critical views about the role of the United States and (to a lesser extent) the European Union. Both the US and the EU were offended. The referendum has first and foremost developed into a popularity test for the government of Mr Morales.

After the expected approval of the new constitution new electoral legislation will need to be developed. Limited time is available for this important job.

The foundation led by Mr Riveros may well play a role in assisting the formulation process, taking into consideration the views of various political parties.

Early February Bolivia will be visited by the Netherlands Minister for Development Cooperation, Mr Bert Koenders. Given his interest in political developments in countries supported by the Netherlands he will have an excellent opportunity to get a first-hand impression of the post-referendum political landscape.
His scheduled meeting with the Bolivian Foundation for Multiparty Democracy will be an important ingredient in his dialogue with Bolivia's political society.

Jan Tuit, was in La Paz, on the day Bolivia voted on its constitutional future. His travels continue

[image from AP]