By Lucinda Elliott and Monica Machicao

Item 1 of 5 Aymara women walk to vote at a polling station during the general election, in El Alto, Bolivia August 17, 2025. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares

[1/5] Aymara women walk to vote at a polling station during the general election, in El Alto, Bolivia August 17, 2025. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares Purchase Licensing Rights , opens new tab

LA PAZ, Aug 17 (Reuters) – Voters in Bolivia began taking to the polls in a general election on Sunday that has been overshadowed by inflation at a four-decade high and the absence of former leftist President Evo Morales, who is barred from running.

Leading the race are opposition conservative contenders Samuel Doria Medina, a business magnate, and Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga, a former president, but neither commands more than 30% support, opinion polls show, with around a quarter of Bolivians undecided.

The August race marks the first time in almost two decades that polling indicates Bolivia’s incumbent Movement for Socialism, or MAS, could face defeat. Support for MAS-affiliated and other left-leaning candidates trails the opposition, totaling around 10%, according to the latest August Ipsos CEISMORI survey.

If no presidential candidate wins more than 40% support with a 10 percentage point lead, the election will head to a runoff on October 19.

Morales, who co-founded MAS and governed the country from 2006 to 2019 under its banner, has been barred from running for another term as president.

Early on Sunday Morales took part in the electoral process, casting his vote in the central Cochabamba department, but later criticized the elections for excluding his political movement.

Ballot stations opened on Sunday at 8 a.m. local time (1200 GMT) and will close at 4 p.m., with initial results expected after 9 p.m. Full official results are due within seven days. Voters will also elect all 26 senators and 130 deputies, and officials assume office on November 8.

Officials on Sunday morning said that the election day was proceeding normally following several minor incidents reported at polling stations. Minister of Government Roberto Rios said that security measures had been effective and warned of misinformation about Sunday’s vote.

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