Bolivian lawmakers approve new elections, may end political unrest of the nation

LA PAZ, Bolivia－Bolivia's Legislative Assembly unanimously approved legislation on Saturday to annul the Oct 20 election results and pave the way for a new vote, a key step toward pacifying the country rocked by unrest since its former president, Evo Morales, resigned on Nov 10.

The leader of the interim government, Jeanine Anez, a member of the opposition party and a former senator, said on Saturday that she will sign the law so it can go into effect, though it was not clear when.

According to local media reports, the law bars candidates who served in both of the two previous terms from seeking reelection for the same position, which would prevent Morales from contesting the presidency in the new ballot.

Reports said the Assembly also needs to agree on a new seven-member electoral court, after members of the previous panel were removed for allegedly manipulating results.

The tribunal will be tasked with setting a date for the new vote that Anez has vowed to hold "as soon as possible".

"I want to thank our parliamentarians for having understood and listened to the demands of the Bolivian people," Anez tweeted on Saturday.

Passage of the bill came as demonstrators lifted road blockades to hold talks with Anez aimed at ending weeks of unrest in the Latin American country.

At least 32 people have been killed in violence that erupted after the disputed election on Oct 20, with protesters' blockades causing severe fuel and food shortages in La Paz and other cities.

Morales, an iconic leader who had been in office for Bolivia for nearly 14 years, claimed victory in the October election for his fourth term while opposition groups said the vote count was manipulated.

An audit by the Washington-based Organization of American States said it found irregularities in the results.

Morales said he was toppled in a "coup" as his resignation earlier this month was demanded by the country's military. The former president has relocated to Mexico, which has granted him asylum. His children also left Bolivia early on Saturday with instructions from Anez that they be provided safe passage, interim interior minister Arturo Murillo wrote on Twitter, posting a picture of boarding passes that showed them heading to Buenos Aires.

Analysts said new elections are expected as key to ending Bolivia's worst political upheaval in years, which has deepened divisions between indigenous people loyal to Morales and Bolivia's mainly city-dwelling middle and upper classes.