Bolivians began voting on Sunday in presidential and congressional elections that could end nearly two decades of rule by the left-wing Movement Toward Socialism. Almost eight million citizens are choosing a president, vice-president and the entire 166-member Plurinational Legislative Assembly for the 2025-30 term amid the country’s worst economic downturn in 40 years. Businessman Samuel Doria Medina and former president Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga, both running on right-leaning platforms, head pre-election polls, trailed by Senate president Andrónico Rodríguez of the splintered MAS. Incumbent President Luis Arce is not on the ballot, while ex-president Evo Morales, barred from running, has called on supporters to cast null votes. A candidate must secure an outright majority or at least 40% of the vote with a 10-point lead to avoid a run-off on 19 October. Authorities deployed more than 25,000 police officers and reported about 1,250 arrests for alcohol sales and other violations after warning of possible attempts by Morales loyalists to disrupt the vote. The Organisation of American States leads a contingent of roughly 3,500 domestic and international observers, making this Bolivia’s most closely monitored election to date. Polls opened at 08:00 and are scheduled to close at 16:00 local time. The Supreme Electoral Tribunal aims to release up to 80% of preliminary results on Sunday night, with official tallies due within seven days.