EU EOM recommends more scrutiny of election financing and gender parity representation

The European Union Election Observation Mission publishes its final report on the 2022 Colombian general elections, with 24 recommendations for future polls.

“Colombia has inaugurated political alternation in a transparent and well-organized process. The country has demonstrated a solid electoral system and a deep-rooted democratic culture that helped it to overcome some technical problems during the legislative elections,” said Javi López MEP, head of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM).

The Mission has published its final report on the 2022 general elections, which includes 24 recommendations to improve the Colombian electoral system in accordance with international standards for elections. This report and its recommendations will be submitted to the Government, Congress, the Electoral Administration and Colombian society as a whole for their consideration.

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In a context of political and electoral reform, the EU EOM recommends as a matter of priority to improve the control of campaign financing. The Mission has observed that the National Electoral Council does not have the required resources and mechanisms to control the funds managed by the parties.

Among the 24 recommendations, the Mission suggests reinforcing measures to improve the parity of women on lists, eliminating the power of some administrative authorities to suspend or remove elected officials for disciplinary offences (a prerogative that only the judiciary should have), and approving a clear regulation of institutional advertising in the media, based on objective criteria of fairness, equity, and transparency.

Likewise, and although it is now a topic outside of the Colombian political debate, the EU EOM considers it important to eliminate the permanent disqualification from standing as a candidate for those convicted of intentional crimes, a disproportionate measure that is contrary to international standards.

The EU EOM arrived to Colombia in January 2022, after receiving an invitation from the Electoral Body and remained in the country for six months to analyze the political, legal, electoral and media framework in which this year’s general elections were held. The Mission deployed more than a hundred short-term and long-term observers throughout Colombia to observe the electoral campaigns, the three election days and their respective scrutinies.

“The EU EOM welcomes the fact that the electoral and political reform was initiated at the beginning of the legislative term, which is considered a very good practice at the international level. I am convinced that the European Union and its Delegation in Colombia will follow with interest the development of this process”, added Javi López.

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European Union Election Observation Mission Colombia 2022