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The Government of Bolivia is democratic and representative in form. The sovereign power resides in the nation, and its exercise is delegated to the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the Government.

The legislative power is vested in the National Congress, composed of two Chambers, the Senate and House of Deputies. The Senate is composed of two members from each department, and the House of 64 deputies, with a corresponding number of alternates for both Chambers, who become acting members in the event of the death, disability or absence of their principals. One-third of the membership of the Senate and one-half of the membership of the Chamber of Deputies are elected every two years by direct vote of the people for six and four years, respectively.

The Congress convenes annually on the 6th of August, the anniversary of the declaration of Bolivian independence, formally signed and published August 6, 1825, by the first Congress then in session at Chuquisaca, now Sucre, the capital.

The constitution limits the annual sessions of Congress to sixty days, with the privilege of extending the same to ninety days, either upon its own motion or at the request of the Chief Executive.

The salary of Senators and Deputies is at the rate of $200