{"id":19006,"date":"2026-06-01T17:06:49","date_gmt":"2026-06-01T22:06:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/moe.org.co\/?p=19006"},"modified":"2026-06-01T17:07:29","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T22:07:29","slug":"second-report-of-the-electoral-observation-mission-moe-presidential-elections-first-round-may-31-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/moe.org.co\/en\/second-report-of-the-electoral-observation-mission-moe-presidential-elections-first-round-may-31-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Second Report of the Electoral Observation Mission (MOE) \u2013 Presidential Elections, First Round \u2013 May 31, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>\u25cf<\/em><\/strong><em> The MOE reminds citizens that voting closes at 4:00 p.m. by law.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>\u25cf<\/em><\/strong><em> Throughout Election Day, the MOE has received 242 reports of alleged anomalies, irregularities, and electoral offenses through the platform<\/em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pilasconelvoto.com\"><em> <\/em><em>www.pilasconelvoto.com<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>\u25cf<\/em><\/strong><em> The MOE has identified false messages circulating on social media and WhatsApp that spread disinformation through narratives that are repeatedly disseminated during every election.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Bogot\u00e1, D.C., May 31, 2026.<\/strong> Colombia\u2019s civil society Electoral Observation Mission (MOE) presents to authorities, media outlets, political organizations, candidates, and citizens its second observation report on the first round of the 2026 Presidential Elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The MOE reminds citizens that voting closes at 4:00 p.m. by legal mandate. Only citizens who have already handed their identification card to poll workers by that time may vote after 4:00 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This report compiles information received up to 3:00 p.m. from deployed electoral observers, as well as reports submitted by citizens through the platform<a href=\"http:\/\/www.pilasconelvoto.com\"> www.pilasconelvoto.com<\/a> and WhatsApp number 3152661969. Among the key findings are the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Public Order Disturbances<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the department of Nari\u00f1o, citizens have reported restrictions on mobility imposed by Illegal Armed Groups. In this regard, the Office of the Attorney General has stated that criminal investigations have already been opened concerning these practices in several municipalities of the department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The MOE urgently calls upon the Public Force and institutions of the Public Ministry to strengthen territorial control and guarantee their presence in these areas after the electoral process concludes. This is essential to protect the civilian population from potential reprisals and to prevent armed social control from undermining citizens\u2019 rights once the elections have ended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Pilas con el Voto<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As of 3:00 p.m., 242 reports of potential electoral irregularities had been received through<a href=\"http:\/\/www.pilasconelvoto.com\"> www.pilasconelvoto.com<\/a>, originating from 72 municipalities across 25 departments and Bogot\u00e1. Additional reports were received from abroad, particularly from Canada, the United States, and Malta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Irregularities at Polling Stations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Twenty-seven percent (27%) of the reports received relate to possible irregularities in the operation of polling stations. Reported situations include congestion and long waiting times for voters; the absence or inadequate functioning of electoral justice desks; accessibility problems for older adults and people with reduced mobility; as well as changes in voting tables without sufficient information for voters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Reports were also received regarding logistical conditions that could affect ballot secrecy, including the placement of voting booths. Additionally, possible inconsistencies were reported in voter identification procedures, biometric verification processes, and access to electoral information platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These situations were reported mainly in Bogot\u00e1 and Ibagu\u00e9 (Tolima), followed by Medell\u00edn (Antioquia), Acac\u00edas (Meta), Pasto (Nari\u00f1o), and Santa Rosa de Viterbo (Boyac\u00e1).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Additional reports from abroad referred to limitations in polling station capacity, long waiting times, difficulties accessing polling locations, and insufficient information regarding the voting periods available to exercise the right to vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Irregularities in the Exercise of Public Functions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Twenty-five percent (25%) of the reports concern possible irregularities related to the improper exercise of public functions during Election Day. Reported situations include: (i) Alleged failures by polling officials to comply with their duties and procedures, including the use of mobile devices at voting tables and errors in the implementation of electoral protocols; (ii) Restrictions or obstacles affecting the functions of accredited electoral witnesses; (iii) Inconsistencies in the completion of voter registration forms (E-11) and electoral certificates; and (iv) Actions by poll workers, delegates, or public servants that could affect the normal conduct of the election, compromise the neutrality of public administration, or create confusion among voters. These reports were received mainly in Bogot\u00e1 and Ibagu\u00e9 (Tolima), followed by Medell\u00edn (Antioquia), San Jos\u00e9 del Guaviare (Guaviare), and municipalities within the metropolitan area of Bucaramanga (Santander).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Political Advertising and Campaigning Violations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite the prohibition on political campaigning during Election Day, 20% of the reports received refer to possible violations of these restrictions. Reported situations include: (i) Electoral advertising in the vicinity of polling stations; (ii) Mass text messages and messaging app communications containing campaign-related content, including possible misuse of personal data; (iii) The use of campaign-related insignia, clothing, or symbols by individuals present at polling stations; and (iv) The dissemination of campaign-related content through digital platforms during Election Day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These reports were concentrated primarily in Bogot\u00e1, Medell\u00edn and its metropolitan area (Antioquia), Valledupar (Cesar), Cartagena (Bol\u00edvar), Armenia (Quind\u00edo), and Sincelejo (Sucre).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Irregularities Affecting the Freedom of the Vote<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nineteen percent (19%) of citizen reports refer to situations that could affect voter autonomy and ballot secrecy. These include alleged pressure, offers of benefits or incentives in exchange for votes, and third-party interference while voters were marking their ballots.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Reports were concentrated mainly in Bogot\u00e1, Bucaramanga (Santander), Valledupar (Cesar), Barrancabermeja (Santander), Pasto (Nari\u00f1o), Cali (Valle del Cauca), Machet\u00e1 (Cundinamarca), and the municipalities of Boavita, Marip\u00ed, Santa Rosa de Viterbo, Sogamoso, and Villa de Leyva (Boyac\u00e1).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Electoral Observation with a Differential Approach<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Based on information collected by the observation teams monitoring the rights of transgender persons and persons with disabilities, as well as reports received through <em>Pilas con el Voto<\/em>, the following is reported:<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u00b7 \u00a0 The MOE has recorded a total of seven (7) cases in which transgender persons experienced or witnessed disrespectful comments or treatment related to their gender identity or gender expression. These incidents occurred at polling stations in Medell\u00edn (Antioquia), Bogot\u00e1, Buenaventura and Cali (Valle del Cauca), Bucaramanga (Santander), and Barranquilla (Atl\u00e1ntico). In most cases, repeated references were made using terms that did not correspond to the individuals\u2019 gender identity, even after they had indicated the appropriate way to address them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u00b7 \u00a0 Nine (9) reports were received regarding insufficient electoral materials, including Braille voting cards and voting booths with reasonable accommodations, as well as infrastructure barriers at polling stations. These incidents occurred in Bogot\u00e1, Pasto (Nari\u00f1o), Ibagu\u00e9 (Tolima), Barrancabermeja (Santander), and Medell\u00edn (Antioquia).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. Social Media Monitoring<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During Election Day, the MOE identified the circulation of videos from previous elections alleging malfunctions of voting pens, among other disinformation narratives. The MOE reminds citizens of the importance of verifying any information received through social media or instant messaging applications with reliable sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5. Attempts to Impersonate the Electoral Observation Mission<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In response to reports received this morning regarding attempts to impersonate the organization, the MOE reiterates to citizens and authorities that MOE observers are fully identified while carrying out their duties through both the accreditation issued by the National Electoral Council (CNE) and the MOE cap and shirt displaying the organization\u2019s logo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>6. Dissemination of Electoral Results<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The MOE calls on citizens, political organizations, and media outlets to await and receive election results with prudence and calm. The MOE also reminds the public that preliminary count bulletins (<em>preconteo<\/em>) are for informational purposes only and that, for logistical reasons, they typically report first the results from voting tables with lower turnout or where no recounts were necessary. Therefore, these initial reports do not necessarily indicate a trend, and their interpretation requires the utmost caution and responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is in the official scrutiny process, which takes longer to complete, and which is conducted by judges and notaries serving on scrutiny commissions, that the results from all voting tables are aggregated and, when necessary, reviewed so that the National Electoral Council may officially declare the election results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pdfemb-pdf-embedder-viewer\"><a href=\"https:\/\/moe.org.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2do.-Comunicado-ingles.pdf\" class=\"pdfemb-viewer\" style=\"\" data-width=\"max\" data-height=\"max\" data-toolbar=\"bottom\" data-toolbar-fixed=\"off\">2do.-Comunicado-ingles<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/moe.org.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2do.-Comunicado-ingles.pdf\">Descargar<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u25cf The MOE reminds citizens that voting closes at 4:00 p.m. by law. \u25cf Throughout Election Day, the MOE has received 242 reports of alleged anomalies, irregularities, and electoral offenses through the platform www.pilasconelvoto.com. \u25cf The MOE has identified false messages circulating on social media and WhatsApp that spread disinformation through narratives that are repeatedly [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18983,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[55],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19006","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-comunicados-de-prensa"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/moe.org.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19006","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/moe.org.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/moe.org.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moe.org.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moe.org.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19006"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/moe.org.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19006\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19011,"href":"https:\/\/moe.org.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19006\/revisions\/19011"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moe.org.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18983"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/moe.org.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19006"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moe.org.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19006"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moe.org.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19006"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}