Bolivian Senate approves bill for new general elections

LA PAZ - The Bolivian Senate approved on Saturday the Exceptional and Transitory Regime Bill, which will allow for the holding of new general elections in the country.

The bill will soon be approved by the lower chamber and thereafter be promulgated by Jeanine Anez, leader of the interim government, according to Efrain Chambi, who heads the Movement for Socialism (MAS) party in the Senate.

The approval of the bill establishes a call for national elections that will allow for the pacification of the country, which has found itself in a difficult political and social situation since the Oct. 20 general elections, Chambi added.

According to Chambi, it is hoped that the date for new elections will be set in a little more than three weeks to a month at the most.

Article 2 of the bill calls for "nullifying" previous elections, in which multiple accusations of electoral fraud arose. Article 17 calls for the participation of all national political organizations, with alliances being considered by political parties, including the MAS.