Plurinational State of Bolivia: Referendum, 21 February 2016

At stake in this election:

• A referendum on an amendment to the Constitution to remove presidential term limits.

Description of government structure:

• Chief of State: President Juan Evo MORALES Ayma (since 22 January 2006)
• Head of Government: President Juan Evo MORALES Ayma
• Assembly: Bolivia has a bicameral Plurinational Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa Plurinacional) consisting of the Chamber of Senators (Cámara de Senadores) with 36 seats and the Chamber of Deputies (Cámara de Diputados) with 130 seats.

Electoral requirements:

• In order to be adopted, at least 50% of valid votes must be cast in favor of the referendum provision, and at least 50% of the electorate must participate in the referendum.

About the referendum:

• Currently, the Bolivian constitution allows for the President and Vice-President to run for re-election only one time. In September 2015, the Plurinational Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa Plurinacional) adopted Law 757 to convene a referendum to remove the presidential and vice-presidential term limits. If the referendum is approved, President Evo MORALES and Vice-President Álvaro GARCÍA Linera would be allowed to run for re-election in 2019.

Main provisions in the referendum:

• “Do you approve of the reform of Article 168 of the Political Constitution of the State so that the President or Vice-President can be re-elected two times consecutively?” (Yes/No)  
  • “¿Usted está de acuerdo con la reforma del artículo 168 de la Constitución Política del Estado para que la Presidenta o Presidente y la Vicepresidenta o Vicepresidente del Estado puedan ser reelectas o reelectos por dos veces de manera continua?”(Sí/No)

Results of the referendum:

• Yes: 2,541,922 (48.71%)
• No: 2,676,864 (51.29%)

Population and number of registered voters:

• Population: 10,800,882 (July 2015 est.)
• Registered Voters: 5,971,152 (October 2015)

Gender Data:

• Female Population: 5,456,155 (July 2015 est.)
• Is Bolivia a signatory to CEDAW: Yes (30 May 1980)
• Has Bolivia ratified CEDAW: Yes (8 June 1990)
• Gender Quota: Yes[1]
• Female candidates in this election: N/A
• Number of Female Parliamentarians: 86[2] (51.8%)
• Human Development Index Position: 119 (2014) 
• Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: Low (2014)

Disability Data:

• Is Bolivia a signatory to CRPD: Yes (13 August 2007)
• Has Bolivia ratified CRPD: Yes (16 November 2009)
• Population with a disability: 1,620,132 (July 2015 est.)