Bolivian general election, 1951
This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Bolivia |
Presidency |
General elections were held in Bolivia on 6 May 1951.[1] Víctor Paz Estenssoro of the opposition Revolutionary Nationalist Movement (MNR) received the most votes in the presidential election, but as he did not obtain an absolute majority, the National Congress was constitutionally obliged to elect a President on 6 August from the three candidates who received the most public votes. However, on 16 May a military junta assumed responsibility for the Government with Brigadier General Hugo Ballivián as President.
The National Congress was ultimately dissolved by Supreme Decree of 7 June, 1951, which annulled the results of the elections.[2]
Campaign
The Republican Socialist Unity Party (PURS) and the Social Democratic Party (PSD) formed the Social Democratic Action alliance to contest the election, with Gabriel Gosalvez of PURS running for President and Roberto Arce of the PSD running for Vice-President.
Results
President
Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
---|---|---|---|
Víctor Paz Estenssoro | Revolutionary Nationalist Movement | 54,129 | 42.9 |
Gabriel Gosalvez | Republican Socialist Unity Party | 40,381 | 32.0 |
Bernardino Bilbao Rioja | Bolivian Socialist Falange | 13,259 | 10.5 |
Guillermo Gutiérrez Vea Murguía | Bolivian Civic Action | 6,654 | 5.3 |
Tomás Manuel Elío | Liberal Party | 6,530 | 5.2 |
José Antonio Arze | Revolutionary Left Party | 5,170 | 4.1 |
Invalid/blank votes | – | ||
Total | 126,123 | 100 | |
Registered voters/turnout | 204,649 | ||
Source: Nohlen |
Vice-President
Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
---|---|---|---|
Hernán Siles Zuazo | Revolutionary Nationalist Movement | 52,602 | 43.2 |
Roberto Arce | Social Democratic Party | 38,202 | 31.4 |
Alfredo Flores | Bolivian Socialist Falange | 12,397 | 10.2 |
Julio Salmón | Bolivian Civic Action | 6,778 | 5.6 |
Bailón Mercado | Liberal Party | 6,558 | 5.4 |
Abelardo Villalpando Retamozo | Revolutionary Left Party | 5,093 | 4.2 |
Invalid/blank votes | – | ||
Total | 121,630 | 100 | |
Registered voters/turnout | 204,649 | ||
Source: OEP |