Bolivia to hold rerun elections on May 3

Bolivians will choose a new president on May 3, more than six months after a disputed election sparked violent street protests and the resignation of Evo Morales, the country's first indigenous president.

Interim leader Jeanine Anez, a former senator and political opponent of Morales, has been overseeing a caretaker government since Morales fled the country for Mexico.

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Bolivia's interim President Jeanine Anez shakes hands with the new commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Army General Carlos Orellana, at the Quemado presidential palace in La Paz, November 13, 2019.

The new presidential election will be "the first Sunday of May, I can let you know that much," said the vice president of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, Oscar Hassenteufel.

Once complete, the electoral schedule will include dates for registration of candidates, the campaign timeframe, rules on advertising, and rules on a potential second round.

Hassenteufel told reporters that an official announcement will be made on Monday.

Bolivia has been plunged into political uncertainty since right-wing opposition factions rejected the re-election of Morales to a fourth term in October elections, claiming electoral fraud.

After losing the army's backing, Morales, who had been in office for 14 years, resigned on November 10 and fled to Mexico before moving on to Argentina.

Former president of Bolivia Evo Morales (C) speaks at a morning press conference in La Paz, Bolivia, November 10, 2019.

Prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant for Morales on charges of sedition, terrorism and terrorist financing. The allegations have been pushed by Anez's government.

A survey in late December by the newspaper Pagina Siete found the young coca leaf grower Andronicus Rodriguez, considered Morales' political heir, was leading with 23 percent of voter preference, followed by conservative Carlos Mesa, with 21 percent.

Rodriguez is still awaiting a final decision from his party Movement for Socialism (MAS) and from Morales.

Former foreign minister David Choquehuanca also wants to be a MAS candidate.

(With input from wires)

(Cover: People wave national flags during a protest against Bolivia's then President Evo Morales in La Paz, Bolivia November 10, 2019. /Reuters Photo)