Evo Morales out of the next election in Bolivia

Former Bolivian President Evo Morales was left out of next August's presidential election in Bolivia, as he was unable to register his candidacy, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) announced Tuesday.

Followers of Morales tried to register him as a candidate until Monday night by the Bolivian National Action Party (Pan-Bol), but this organization does not have legal recognition, explained TSE Chamber Secretary Luis Fernando Arteaga.

"Pan-bol has its legal personality cancelled, therefore, they cannot make registration of candidates," Arteaga specified in a press conference.

Morales without a party

Morales, who was president in office for more than a decade in the Andean country, chose Pan-Bol at the last minute, after resigning last February from the ruling Movimiento Al Socialismo (MAS) which was left under the control of the current president Luis Arce, his former ally.

The TSE annulled Pan-Bol's legal status earlier this month, because it did not exceed 3% of the vote in the last presidential elections of 2020. The measure also reached another party, Frente Para la Victoria (FPV), for the same reason.

The former president made no comment, although his followers announced protests, such as road blockades starting Tuesday.

Morales remains in the coca-growing region of Chapare, unable to leave for seven months, due to an arrest warrant for a case of child trafficking, which he denies. The former head of state is also subject to a court ruling that disqualified him from running in the Aug. 17 election.

The Constitutional Court ratified last week that Morales (2006-2019) cannot run for a fourth term, for having served as president more than twice.

10 candidacies for one position

The TSE registered 10 political parties and groupings until Monday night.

It put on hold the analysis of the candidacy of Senate President Andrónico Rodríguez, for the Alianza Popular Front, until the justice system resolves whether he complied with party rules. Rodríguez, a coca growers' leader, was considered the political heir to Morales. 

Also in the race are the former Minister of Government Eduardo del Castillo, for MAS, following President Luis Arce's decision to desist in his reelection.

The strongest opponents to face the leftist bloc are social democrat businessman Samuel Doria Medina (who ran unsuccessfully on other occasions) and right-wing former President Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga.

Other former MAS militants and aspirants from the center and the right complete the list of candidates.