Essential - As a matter of urgency, NEC should take all necessary measures to substantially decrease the number of protocols with numeric inconsistencies.
Addressed to - NEC.
Possible Improvements Suggested - NEC should ensure that all technical (i.e. computers) and human resources are available and functioning in order to achieve this goal.
Timeline - In time for next electoral cycle.

Essential - More detailed procedures should be established with respect to the adjudication of electoral offences.
Addressed to - National Assembly.
Possible Improvements Suggested - The 2009 electoral law merely establishes a prescription/ limitation line of 2 years (Art 304) which is insufficient.
Timeline - In time for next electoral cycle.

Essential - A new permanent comprehensive electoral law should be developed as the valid reference for all future elections, including referenda.
Addressed to - CNE; Legislative Branch.
Possible Improvements Suggested - The new law should endeavour to include:
1. Provisions for out-of-country voting;
2. An exception to the principle of preclusion. In addition to re-holding elections, CDEs should be allowed to recount and change a result if valid votes were considered void, or vice versa;
3. Provisions for participation of delegates from all political organisations in all types of elections; all delegates should receive a copy of results form at the end of polling;
4. More extended and detailed rules on campaigning;
5. Introduction of an article outlining a new electoral crime against those who intimidate, coerce or control into voting a certain way.
EC Support/Projects - EC should be ready to offer legal and electoral expertise if requested to do so by Bolivian authorities.
Timeline - Over the next 8 months – in time for the start of the electoral campaign for the December elections.

Essential - Unused ballot papers and certificados de sufragio must always be annulled at the polling station level.
Addressed to - CNE.
Timeline - In time for the next elections.

Essential - The mission welcomes the decision of the CNE to produce a new simplified voter register with biometric data and recommends that international standards for producing a transparent and efficient voter’s register should be followed.
Addressed to - CNE.
Possible Improvements Suggested - In line with international standards, the CNE must both facilitate and remove obstacles to registration. According to best international practices, the CNE should ensure the method of registration is simple and accessible and that there is an effective voter education campaign. Voter registration should be intensified for groups less likely to be registered (e.g. first time voters, women, minorities etc.) Procedures must be put in place in order to facilitate the right to challenge any inaccuracies or omissions in the voter register. It is essential that a preliminary voter register is made available for public inspection, permitting voters to confirm their inclusion and the register’s accuracy.
EC Support/Projects - EC should be ready to offer legal and electoral expertise if requested to do so by Bolivian authorities.
Timeline - To be executed over the next 8 months.

Essential - Introduce an effective audit of the civil registry and ensure that duplicates and double entries are deleted.
Addressed to - CNE.
Possible Improvements Suggested - Ensure that the civil registry is up to date, reflects the data provided and is free to all future registrants.
Timeline - Over the next 2 years.

Desirable - The non-release of election results prior to closing of polling around the country.
Addressed to - CNE/Media.
Possible Improvements Suggested - Expansion of article 120 to prohibit diffusion of results from any polling station by any type of media before 18:00 on the day of the elections.
Timeline - To be included in the new electoral code.

Essential - Introduction of a new article regarding the regulation of balanced access to News Editions and informative programmes.
Possible Improvements Suggested - A more comprehensive and detailed article within the Electoral Law, stipulating balanced access to the media during the electoral campaign. Clear indications on governing balanced access to News editions and informative programmes, both on state-owned and private electronic media should be established.
Timeline - In time for the next elections.

Essential - Establishment of free air time during referenda.
Possible Improvements Suggested - The Election Law generally states that candidates and political parties shall be guaranteed equal conditions of access to the state-owned media through the broadcasting of free airtime. According to CNE Resolution No. 0201/2008 Art 7 (21 November 2008) this right was suspended “due to the nature of referendum (..) free of charge airtime in the state electronic media is not foreseen.” There should be free air time on state-owned media during referenda.
Timeline - In time for the next referenda.

Essential - Training booklets on election procedures need to offer the same basic information across the country, and should be offered in different languages.
Addressed to - CNE; Civil Society.
Possible Improvements Suggested - A comprehensive guide on election procedures should be produced by one organisation, approved by the CNE, and distributed nationally for training.
Timeline - In time for the next elections.

Essential - An intense campaign on the secrecy of the vote and freedom of expression should be conducted in order to discourage coercive community voting and to deter government officials or other community leaders from unduly influencing the freedom of expression and the right to a secret ballot.
Addressed to - CNE; Civil Society.
Possible Improvements Suggested - According to international standards, persons entitled to vote must be free to support or oppose the government, without undue influence or coercion of any kind which may distort or inhibit the free expression of the elector´s will. Voters should be able to form opinions independently, free of violence or threat of violence, compulsion, inducement or manipulative interference of any kind.
Timeline - To be executed 3 months before the next elections.

Essential - Introduction of an article with reference to the holding of political rallies and the provision of security.
Addressed to - CNE; Security Forces.
Possible Improvements Suggested - International standards recognise the right to peaceful assembly. No restrictions may be placed on the exercise of the right to peaceful assembly other than those imposed in the law. Parties and Candidates should notify the relevant authorities of rally locations and times in order to ensure adequate and equal access to security if needed and to avoid clashes between parties or candidates.
Timeline - In time for the next elections.

Essential - Introduce requirement for transparency in campaign funding.
Addressed to - Legislative Branch.
Possible Improvements Suggested - Regulations should be compulsory for parties, agrupaciones and other campaign actors. The origin, amount and – if applicable – any conditions imposed for the funding given, should be made public. Exemptions may be made for donations under a certain amount.
Timeline - In time for the next elections.

Investigate all allegations of irregularities and prosecute those responsible

Enhance JCE independence by appointing members to terms longer than the president or congress that appoints them

Enact legislation to improve confidence in the electoral process for the next elections

Improve the voter registration process

Kaunda’s UNIP party must transform from a badly defeated party into a vigorous opposition

Establish a more consistent system of voter identification

Presiding officers should be vested with sufficient authority to conduct the voting process in an orderly manner

National Election Board should meet more frequently, allowing opposition parties to participate in the decision making process

Electoral board and government should conduct greater civic education programs

Postpone election

The leaders of the three major political parties should reach out to each
other and toward the people to help build confidence in the process by: (a)
jointly filming public service announcements on the need to vote and how
to vote;

First-Order Issues