Overview

• Official tallies show centrist Rodrigo Paz at 32.16% and conservative Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga at 26.62%, sending both to a second round on October 19.
• President Luis Arce said the results do not indicate a shift to the right, rejected talk of a regional “Milei effect,” and invited both contenders to discuss near‑term economic steps.
• The ruling MAS lost its long‑held dominance, with its candidate Eduardo Del Castillo drawing about 3.2% and former MAS ally Andrónico Rodríguez 8.51%, weakening the party’s presence in Congress.
• El Economista reports null ballots reached roughly 19% after a campaign urged by Evo Morales, underscoring fragmentation on the left.
• Clarín reports Morales is sheltering in Lauca Ñ while resisting an arrest order in an abuse case; in an interview he called his 2019 referendum decision a mistake and described a late‑2024 attack on his vehicle that he blamed on Arce.