The head of Movement towards Socialism (MAS), Jerges Mercado, said in statements to the Bolivia TV state channel, that the Senate will follow a similar procedure on Tuesday, and that president Luis Arce will put the law in effect, as soon as it is sent to him.

Meritocracy will be a central phase in the preselection of judicial candidates, explained Mercado, who referred to the planned deadlines. “The entire preselection process in the Legislative Assembly will take a maximum of 80 days, and the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (SET)has a maximum of 150 days to carry out the entire election process,” he explained. “We are talking about 230 days as the maximum limit to have new authorities.”

Mercado addressed the issue of qualifications by expanding on what he called “meritocracy” as a central element to be taken into account by legislators to preselect the best professionals.

Master’s degrees will be rated up to 30 points, doctorates up to 40, professional experience and other aspects will have a value that together will reach 200 points, he explained, and reported that only those who reach 130 points will be able to pass the preselection, which will be incharge of the mixed commission of Justice and Constitution.

“We have placed a lot of emphasis on the qualifications, experience, suitability and transparency of the applicants, that is why, once the call goes out, we invite the best Bolivian patriots, to apply,” he revealed.

He commented that, unlike in the past, applicants will have an opportunity to challenge a decision.

Once the list of those preselected has been approved in the plenary session of the Plurinational Legislative Assembly by a two-thirds vote, it will be sent to the (SET) to prepare and carry out the judicial elections within a period of 180 days.

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