WASHINGTON, USA – The Electoral Mission of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Colombia observes with concern the increase in tension in the final vote-counting phase in some localities of the country, while strongly condemning the burning of the mayor’s office of the municipality of San Calixto, Norte de Santander, the incidents in Aipe, Huila.
Cases such as those of Manaure and Fonseca, in La Guajira, La Cruz in Nariño and Gachantivá in Boyacá, places where riots have affected the post-electoral vote counting process.
Colombia has institutional mechanisms to present disagreements and claims, through legal procedures, respecting the processes established by the competent authorities.
The Mission expresses that it is essential that the authorities be allowed to carry out their work without attacks, threats or intimidation. Respect and guarantees for their work are essential to preserve the integrity of the electoral process.
“The OAS Electoral Mission takes note of and supports the calls of the attorney general’s office and the Colombian MOE for peace. We ask all citizens and political forces to act responsibly so as not to tarnish the electoral process that was plural and democratic.”