A Nation on Pause: Bolivia Prepares to Vote Again

As Bolivia approaches its run-off presidential elections this coming Sunday (October 19, 2025), many outside the country may not be familiar with how elections here work or how deeply they shape daily life during this time.

A Legally Required Civic Duty

Voting in Bolivia is not just a right; it is a legal obligation for all citizens between the ages of 18 and 70. Participation is taken very seriously. Those who do not vote without a valid excuse can face specific penalties. One of the most significant consequences is being unable to conduct official or financial transactions for 90 days after the election. This includes accessing bank accounts, obtaining government documents, or signing certain legal papers.

After voting, each citizen receives a stamped card called the certificado de sufragio, which serves as proof that they participated. This certificate is often required for everyday administrative activities in the weeks following the election.

Movement Restrictions on Election Day

Election days in Bolivia are unique. To ensure maximum voter participation and maintain public order, the government enforces a nationwide period called the Día del Silencio Electoral, or Day of Electoral Silence, beginning 24 hours before voting starts. During this period, all political campaigning and advertising must stop completely.

On election day itself, the country essentially pauses. There is a strict vehicular and travel restriction, meaning that no one is allowed to drive or travel except for authorized electoral personnel. Businesses close, public transportation stops, and the focus of the day becomes solely on casting one’s vote. Citizens are expected to walk to their assigned polling stations, which are typically located in local schools or community centers.

The atmosphere across the country is calm yet highly structured. Families often walk together to vote, and once polls close, many return home to await the results on television or radio.

How the Presidential Election Works

Bolivia uses a two-round voting system for presidential elections. In the first round, a candidate must receive more than 50 percent of the vote, or at least 40 percent with a 10-point lead over the nearest rival, to win outright. If no candidate achieves that threshold, the top two candidates advance to a second round of voting known as a run-off election.

That is precisely where Bolivia finds itself now. With no clear winner in the first round, citizens will return to the polls this Sunday for the run-off election, which will determine the country’s next president.

A Peaceful Pause for Democracy

Elections in Bolivia reflect a deep sense of civic responsibility woven into the nation’s identity. Though the rules might seem strict to outsiders, they are rooted in the belief that voting is both a duty and a privilege, an opportunity for every citizen to help shape the future of the country.

As Bolivia prepares for this Sunday’s run-off, the streets will again grow quiet, campaign banners will come down, and families across the nation will take that familiar walk to the polls.