"The Supreme Electoral Tribunal has been testing the preliminary results distribution system (DIREPRE) in recent weeks. And we want to inform the country that the test results do not allow us to ensure the security of full data distribution. That’s why … TSE has decided to withdraw the system for the current elections," Romero told reporters on Saturday.
He assured that vote counting will be carried out transparently and in line with the law and anybody, including journalists and international observers, will be able to monitor the process.
"Any citizen will be able to take a photo of the act of the election commissions. Any representative of a political party will be able to receive a copy of the act," Romero said.
Luis Arce Catacora has criticized the new DIREPRE system, pointing to lags in posting photos of election commission acts.
Romero said on Saturday that official voting results should not be expected on Sunday night as vote counting will take some time.
Bolivia has experienced political turmoil since Morales stepped down in November of last year, after a controversial presidential election. Most of Bolivia’s senior officials resigned in his wake.
The Bolivian opposition, led by Carlos Mesa, claimed that there were mass violations in the October 2019 elections. Power in the country was assumed by the opposition vice-speaker of the senate, Jeanine Anez.
Early elections were initially announced in Bolivia for the summer of 2020 but have been repeatedly delayed amid the coronavirus pandemic. Morales, currently leading the MAS campaign from Argentina, is banned from running for president in Bolivia.
