Bolivian right extends its polling lead in race for president

Two right-wing candidates are leading the race for president of crisis-hit Bolivia in elections on Sunday expected to end two decades of leftist rule.

Two polls published on Sunday night, a week before the vote, showed Bolivians punishing the ruling Movement towards Socialism (MAS) for the worst economic crisis in a generation, marked by acute shortages of dollars and fuel and bouts of violent unrest.

The surveys by Ipsos-Ciesmori and Captura Consulting showed centre-right business magnate Samuel Doria Medina garnering 21.2 percent and 21.6 percent of the vote respectively, marginally ahead of former right-wing president Jorge Quiroga on 20 percent.

The leading left-wing candidate, Senate president Andrónico Rodríguez, who has distanced himself from the ruling party, and MAS candidate Eduardo del Castillo, are both polling in single digits.

With no candidate expected to win an outright majority on Sunday, the election is expected to go to a run-off for the first time since 2005, when Evo Morales, Bolivia's first indigenous president, came to power at the head of MAS.

The former coca grower went on to become South America's longest-running president, serving three terms before resigning under a cloud in 2019 after attempting to extend his hold on power.

His left-wing successor and rival Luis Arce, who has been heavily criticised for his handling of the crisis caused by a dramatic decline in gas revenues, is not seeking re-election.

Arce has warned of the risk of the Andean country defaulting on its external debt if it does not urgently receive an international bailout.

The state has nearly exhausted its dollar reserves to maintain its policy of subsidising fuel to the tune of around US$3 billion a year.

Annual inflation rose to 24.8 percent in July, its highest level since at least 2008.

Morales' failed attempt to stage a political comeback, despite being barred from seeking re-election, has cast a long shadow over the election.

He is wanted by police over his alleged sexual relationship with a teenage girl while in office, charges he denies.

Morales has called for his supporters to avenge his disqualification by spoiling their vote.

The Ipsos-Ciesmori poll showed up to 14.6 percent of the electorate set to follow his advice.

– TIMES/AFP