Bogota. Today, the Office of the Ombudsman has issued an early warning 22-04, warning of the risks in the context of the electoral campaign with the aim of the upcoming legislative and presidential elections in Colombia.
The purpose of the warning is to activate mechanisms to prevent and mitigate the risks that have been prevented before, during and after electoral competitions.
He explained that there are electoral risks due to the occurrence of illegal armed groups and others, as well as due to a combination of weaknesses and capabilities.
The aforementioned groups in the face of the elections, if they control the area, generate frightening messages to interfere in the electoral process, and if it is a contested area, the ammunition of violence is activated to restrict or annex the population, he said.
He noted that the main threat factors are the social and territorial control of illegal armed groups (particularly the development of illegal economies); Disagreements between the various illegal armed groups for control of territory and corridors of strategic movement.
as well as threats to social leaders or candidates whose policy proposals conflict with the dominant local forces and their interests; Continuing internal armed conflict, with a strong influence of drug trafficking.
He added that at the national level, there are 79 high risk areas, 195 high risk areas, 186 medium risk areas, and 61 areas in the risk category.
The Ombudsman proposes 39 national recommendations for civil and public powers, such as measures to deter and control the context of the threat; Intelligence and investigation, as well as protective measures, among others.
The Foundation for Peace and Reconciliation determined this week that as of March 13, 2021, the date marking the beginning of the electoral calendar, and as of last Sunday, February 13, there is a victim of electoral political violence in the country.
He explained that during the first eleven months of the mentioned period, 124 violent incidents were recorded, with a total of 163 victims, of whom 144 were threatened and 19 were killed.
Legislative elections will be held in Colombia on March 13 to elect 100 senators, 166 representatives in the Chamber and 16 representatives of the special transitional districts for peace.
Meanwhile, the presidential elections will be held on May 29, in which the president and vice president of the country for the 2022-2026 term will be chosen.
The winning formula must receive half plus one of the total valid votes, otherwise a second round will be held on June 19 among the candidates with the most votes and the winning candidate will be judged for one four-year term.
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