Election Day in La Paz
You would think this wasn't such a big deal here in Bolivia, or any other place else for that matter.
The fact that three things are forbidden on that day suggests otherwise.
As with Pedestrian Day, cars are banned, with the exception of official and emergency cars. Anybody who wishes to have an exemption must obtain a written permit from the Ministry of Transportation. That alone seems hardly worth the bother, since I've seen people stand in line here, their backpacks with tents often strapped to their backs, as if they were waiting for the new iPhone.
But the prohibition of motored vehicles on Election Day has deeper roots than that. Since there doesn't seem to be an official national registry for voters, a Department of Motored Vehicles, or anything similar, the fear is abundant that people might vote in one town, take off in their cars, and vote in another. To achieve the stuffing of the ballot boxes would take a little something extraordinary from would-be fraudsters. Here a (very strong and tough) horse would be needed, a plane could be rented from drug dealers, or you would have to start marathon training well in advance of Election Day. Neither of these options appears overly palatable.
Next in line are public gatherings that are outlawed up to 24 hours before Election Day. God forbid anybody stumped for any last minute votes from an undecided populace. What if this group actually discussed in earnest what was going on? What if they decided not to vote altogether? While large groups can be a wonderful thing at a market or a football stadium, they are positively a nuisance and a threat to national security if assembled around Election Day. This brings us to the next no-no around Election Day, something closely related to gathering crowds. Of course I am talking about…
Booze. Can't sell it, and in many places don't even bother consuming it. You know there will always be certain days when cars will be prohibited and days when people need to refrain from either drinking or purchasing alcohol. Having a day that dictates you to abstain from both has only three groups of people cheering here: the insurance companies, the coca farmers, and the Mormons. This one might be a more difficult pill, or in this case cocktail, to swallow. You are not allowed to drive, so traffic cops can breathe easily, except for the chumps out there on duty who need to enforce it. Outlawing booze then seems redundant. It's not like that third or fourth beer will make the voter think any more clearly.
Luckily, people are allowed to drink within the friendly confines of their own homes. People are allowed to vote for another windbag promising them the wind and the sun. Of course, Election Day is always on a Sunday, the only day Bolivians should not work, so there shouldn't be any excuses not to vote. You can vote if you are 18 (only if you are married) or 21 if you are single, so people who get married in their teens have an advantage (the logic here escapes me). Did you think only New York could use buildings as billboards? Think again. You can allow political parties to spray your entire home with slogans and the colors of any respective party.
Finally, people must carry a document that proves they voted. Not holding one will not permit you to apply for other documents nor allow you to execute simpler transactions, such as withdrawing money from your account. In other words, you will vote and you will like it.
The fact that three things are forbidden on that day suggests otherwise.
As with Pedestrian Day, cars are banned, with the exception of official and emergency cars. Anybody who wishes to have an exemption must obtain a written permit from the Ministry of Transportation. That alone seems hardly worth the bother, since I've seen people stand in line here, their backpacks with tents often strapped to their backs, as if they were waiting for the new iPhone.
But the prohibition of motored vehicles on Election Day has deeper roots than that. Since there doesn't seem to be an official national registry for voters, a Department of Motored Vehicles, or anything similar, the fear is abundant that people might vote in one town, take off in their cars, and vote in another. To achieve the stuffing of the ballot boxes would take a little something extraordinary from would-be fraudsters. Here a (very strong and tough) horse would be needed, a plane could be rented from drug dealers, or you would have to start marathon training well in advance of Election Day. Neither of these options appears overly palatable.
Next in line are public gatherings that are outlawed up to 24 hours before Election Day. God forbid anybody stumped for any last minute votes from an undecided populace. What if this group actually discussed in earnest what was going on? What if they decided not to vote altogether? While large groups can be a wonderful thing at a market or a football stadium, they are positively a nuisance and a threat to national security if assembled around Election Day. This brings us to the next no-no around Election Day, something closely related to gathering crowds. Of course I am talking about…
Booze. Can't sell it, and in many places don't even bother consuming it. You know there will always be certain days when cars will be prohibited and days when people need to refrain from either drinking or purchasing alcohol. Having a day that dictates you to abstain from both has only three groups of people cheering here: the insurance companies, the coca farmers, and the Mormons. This one might be a more difficult pill, or in this case cocktail, to swallow. You are not allowed to drive, so traffic cops can breathe easily, except for the chumps out there on duty who need to enforce it. Outlawing booze then seems redundant. It's not like that third or fourth beer will make the voter think any more clearly.
Luckily, people are allowed to drink within the friendly confines of their own homes. People are allowed to vote for another windbag promising them the wind and the sun. Of course, Election Day is always on a Sunday, the only day Bolivians should not work, so there shouldn't be any excuses not to vote. You can vote if you are 18 (only if you are married) or 21 if you are single, so people who get married in their teens have an advantage (the logic here escapes me). Did you think only New York could use buildings as billboards? Think again. You can allow political parties to spray your entire home with slogans and the colors of any respective party.
Finally, people must carry a document that proves they voted. Not holding one will not permit you to apply for other documents nor allow you to execute simpler transactions, such as withdrawing money from your account. In other words, you will vote and you will like it.
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