‘We don’t have a concrete alternative’ to advance general elections, specialist says

Jorge Jauregui, an expert in the field of electoral law, said that “there is not even a concrete alternative” for holding early electioneither this year or 2024, after the Congressional Constitution Commission filed an executive branch bill proposing an early election.

“The conclusion is zero, no alternative has been worked out, at some point progress was already made with the first vote, which gave rise to the horizon for April 2024. However, the situation is zero, it does not exist, ”he said in information Center from PTR.

In this regard, he pointed out that the situation reflects a faction in the parliamentary benches seeking an agreement on early election in the face of demonstrations that continue in the capital and various regions of the country.

“This is a parliament that is cut off from citizens, there is no clarity regarding the high level and satisfaction of citizens with the work of parliament, (c) the same in the executive branch. There are a number of citizens who are absolutely dissatisfied with how it is developing,” he added.

Within this framework, he argued that early election in a timely manner (the law states that 230 days are needed), since it is necessary to “hold elections that bring the conflict into a democratic framework.”

“Secondly, to have elections, but with the conditions of guarantees from the executive branch and parliament of the autonomy and independence of the electoral bodies,” he assured.

Lack of political will

An electoral law expert said there is a lack of political will in Congress to get votes and agree to set an early election date, such as before the end of the current legislature (February 10).

“If there is political will, it could be promoted and ratified in the next legislature to take precedence before the 2023 elections. The problem is how they reach political agreements,” he said.

He illustrated the current situation in 2000, when the demonstrations (the “Los Cuatro Suyos” march) managed to send a signal to the Congress to determine a political solution for the country. how much criticized Executive and Legislative were not representative of those who died during the marches that began in December 2022.

“In a dynamic like the one we are in, with a parliament that is absolutely irresponsible towards citizens’ requests – speaking of accountability for decisions made – civic engagement must be constant and vigilant. There is still a lot of commitment from various sectors to start proposing and monitoring so that the agreement can become viable,” said Jorge Jauregui.