In the coming weeks, 32 long-term observers and 50 short-term observers will be deployed throughout Bolivia and a delegation from the European Parliament will join the EU EOM shortly before Election Day. In total, the European Union will have more than one hundred observers on the ground to observe the vote on 17 August.

The EU is a globally recognised and trusted actor in international election observation, having applied its wellestablished methodology for election observation in more than 180 missions in 65 countries since 2000. The European Union has previously observed elections in Bolivia in 2006, 2009, 2014, 2019 and 2020, demonstrating its firm commitment to supporting democratic consolidation in the country.

Members of the European Parliament lead the EU EOMs. Kaja Kallas, the High Representative/Vice President of the European Commission, has appointed MEP Davor Ivo Stier as Chief Observer. “I am honoured to lead this EU Election Observation Mission, which will deliver an independent and impartial assessment of the electoral process. As the Bolivian people prepare to go to the polls, the European Union reaffirms its support for Bolivia in its efforts to strengthen democracy, uphold the rule of law and protect human rights”, Mr Stier said upon his appointment.

The EU EOM Core Team held a first meeting on Friday at the headquarters of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal in La Paz with acting President Oscar Hassenteufel. In the meeting, they exchanged views on the challenges facing the institution for the upcoming elections. At the end of the meeting, the Deputy Chief Observer of the EU EOM, Dr Alexander Gray, said the EOM will observe all the stages of the electoral process, including candidate registration, campaigning, voting procedures on election day, publication of results and the resolution of possible complaints related to the elections.