USAID/OTI BOLIVIA HOT TOPICS
July 2004
Gas Referendum
On Sunday July 18th, Bolivian voters went to the polls en masse to carry out one of Latin America's rare exercises in direct democracy. Despite predictions of violence, urn burning, blockades and boycotts, over 60% of Bolivia's voter population turned out to vote in favor of President Mesa's proposals to reform the country's hydrocarbon policies and industry. The yes vote on this highly controversial issue indicates that Bolivians favor exporting gas but may want to increase taxation of companies operating in the country. In their participation in the gas referendum, Bolivians demonstrated that they are interested in peace, economic growth and institutionalized political participation.
One of USAID/OTI's priorities since it began activities in Bolivia in March 2004, has been to help Bolivians understand the issues related to the referendum and encourage participation in the nationwide consultation. As a result, USAID/OTI has concentrated much of its community work in the economically depressed and socially conflictive city of El Alto. El Alto was the epicenter of the violence of October 2003 which toppled the former president, and brought Carlos Mesa to power with promises to consult the population on how they want to use their main resource, natural gas. OTI supported youth and civic groups were able to distribute hundreds of thousands of educational pamphlets on the referendum, reaching all sectors of the population through workshops, theatre, dance, and traditional gatherings such as markets and festivals. A measure of the success of these efforts was voter turn-out in El Alto, at 68% among the highest in the country (only the province of Oruro had similar levels) despite some calls for boycotts and violence.
With USAID/OTI assistance, the government was able to conduct public education through radio spots in three languages, call in programs, voter education materials and television appearances by the President. Through USAID/OTI supported outreach to journalists in rural areas in the altiplano, the government was able to establish contacts with media and a presence in areas where few central government authorities have been welcome for years. In addition, USAID/OTI longer term aid to strengthen and reform the state media, enabled the state television channel and radio, to provide full nationwide referendum day coverage.
For further information, please contact:
In Washington, D.C: Amy Frumin, LAC Program Manager, 202-712-4231, afrumin@usaid.gov
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