Colombia Elections: European Left Calls for Transparent Vote Count
STATEMENT BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN LEFT
The International Commission of the European Left calls for a complete, public and transparent scrutiny process and respect for the sovereign will of the Colombian people.
The Party of the European Left (European Left) is following with the utmost attention the provisional results of the second round of the presidential elections held on 21 June in Colombia.
According to the preliminary count released by the electoral authorities, the candidacy of Abelardo de la Espriella and José Manuel Restrepo maintains a narrow lead over the candidacy of Iván Cepeda and Aída Quilcué, of the Historic Pact. This is a very close margin —245,738 votes— in an electoral process marked by deep political polarisation, allegations of irregularities, and concerns expressed by social, trade union and political organisations regarding vote buying, pressure on voters, political violence and possible alterations to the process.
In this context, the European Left considers it essential to act with democratic responsibility. The preliminary count cannot replace the official scrutiny, nor can it close the examination of the complaints submitted. In an election decided by such a narrow margin, full transparency, the verification of tally sheets, attention to challenges and respect for electoral guarantees are indispensable conditions for preserving the legitimacy of the final result.
The European Left salutes the Colombian people for their democratic participation and expresses its recognition of Iván Cepeda, Aída Quilcué, the Historic Pact and the social, popular, Indigenous, Afro-descendant, feminist, trade union and youth forces that have defended a project of peace, social justice, deep democracy, national sovereignty and human rights. Their result expresses the living strength of a Colombia that refuses to give up on peace or on social transformation.
At the same time, we warn of the risk that the advance of a far-right project based on militarisation, authoritarianism, the stigmatisation of popular movements and alignment with the most reactionary agendas on the continent would pose for Colombia and for Latin America. Colombia needs democratic guarantees, not revenge; peace with social justice, not a return to war; popular sovereignty, not external interference.
For this reason, we call on the Colombian electoral authorities to guarantee a complete, public, verifiable and transparent scrutiny; to investigate all complaints and irregularities; and to ensure that no political, economic or international pressure interferes with the sovereign expression of the Colombian people.
The European Left also calls on the European Union and the international community not to rush into political recognitions before the corresponding institutional process has concluded and the complaints submitted have been addressed. The defence of democracy requires respect for procedures, effective guarantees and responsible international accompaniment.
We will continue to stand with the Colombian people, their popular organisations and the democratic and progressive forces in the defence of peace, life, social justice and sovereignty.
Colombia deserves electoral truth, democratic guarantees and full respect for the popular will.