La Paz, Bolivia—The Bolivian government on Friday confirmed that former President Evo Morales is ineligible to run in the 2025 presidential elections due to constitutional restrictions.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Deputy Communication Minister Gabriela Alcon clarified that Morales’ ineligibility is based on the constitutional provisions of Bolivia, not a decision by the current administration. This announcement comes amid protests from Morales’ supporters, who have been advocating for his candidacy. Alcon emphasized the importance of adhering to the legal framework established by the Bolivian Constitution, which was democratically approved by the citizens of Bolivia.
The constitutional constraint specifically cited by Alcon is Article 168, which limits the presidency to one consecutive re-election, allowing a president to serve a maximum of two terms. Having already served multiple terms from 2006 to 2019, Morales does not qualify for another candidacy. This position is further reinforced by a 2023 ruling from the Constitutional Court, which stated that indefinite re-election is not a human right, aligning with the stance taken by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) that also recently dismissed three human rights complaints related to this issue.
Alcon called for political disputes to be resolved through dialogue rather than protests, which could lead to further instability in Bolivia. She stressed the need for unity and peace in addressing national issues, stating, “We don’t need to push the country toward conflict, violence, or instability. We need to focus on the well-being of the people.”
