Bolivian electoral body urges general election rescheduling due to COVID-19

Salvador Romero

LA PAZ, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Bolivia's Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) on Saturday called on all political parties to set a new date for the general elections due to the impact of COVID-19.

TSE President Salvador Romero said that the new date of the elections, originally scheduled for May 3, must get the parliament's approval.

Romero said the electoral tribunal has also decided to suspend its work agenda for 14 days following "the (interim) government's decision to declare a quarantine with restriction of activities for 14 days" beginning Sunday in an effort to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

"This measure, as a result of an unprecedented situation worldwide, prevents the electoral body from continuing to carry out preparatory tasks for the elections," Romero said.

So far, Bolivia has reported 19 confirmed cases of COVID-19.