- MOE highlights the coordination among the different State authorities and their ongoing exchange with various sectors of civil society throughout the electoral process, which concludes today.
- Digital conversation throughout the electoral process has shown high levels of hostility and violence. The circulation of disinformation and false news regarding alleged manipulation of E-14 forms, among other issues, increased at the start of Election Day.
- MOE deployed its observation mission in coordination with 34 regional offices located in 31 departments of Colombia, covering 77.8% of the country’s electoral potential.
Bogotá, D.C., June 21, 2026. Colombia’s civil society Electoral Observation Mission (MOE) presents to authorities, media outlets, political organizations, candidates, and citizens its first observation report, corresponding to the opening of Election Day for the second round of the 2026 presidential elections. This report compiles information provided by 80% of the deployed electoral observers, as well as reports submitted by citizens through the platform www.pilasconelvoto.com and WhatsApp number 3152661969.
At the close of this report, MOE highlights the peaceful conduct of Election Day. In this regard, it acknowledges the coordination and readiness of the Ministry of Defense, the Military Forces, and the National Police in ensuring the timely installation and deployment of polling stations throughout the country, with particular emphasis on rural areas. MOE also maintains a continuous exchange of information with all relevant authorities.
This assessment covers observations from the beginning of Election Day until 10:00 a.m. The main findings include:
- Electoral Observation
MOE deployed its observation mission in coordination with 34 regional offices located across 31 departments of Colombia. Based on observations from 1,868 voting tables distributed across 1,401 polling stations, of which 12% are located in rural areas, MOE collected the following information:
MOE’s observation team recorded findings related to the neutrality of poll workers and electoral witnesses at polling stations who were wearing campaign-related insignia. Although MOE notes a reduction compared to observations made during the first round of the presidential election, it reiterates the need to strengthen monitoring and oversight regarding permissible identification for both poll workers and electoral witnesses. In particular, the percentage of poll workers wearing campaign-related insignia decreased from 12% to 8%, while for electoral witnesses it decreased from 20% to 12%.
- Electoral Observation with a Differential Approach
According to the information collected, 62.6% of the observed polling stations did not display informational posters with QR codes linking to protocols intended to guarantee the rights of transgender persons and persons with disabilities.
Regarding observation of the Trans Voting Protocol and monitoring of its implementation, it was noted that two (2) transgender observers heard discriminatory comments or received discriminatory treatment. In one of these cases, repeated references were made using terms inconsistent with the observers’ gender identity, even after they indicated the appropriate way to address them.
Regarding guarantees for the exercise of voting rights by persons with disabilities, 80.8% of the observed polling stations lacked adequate physical accessibility conditions to facilitate independent mobility. Additionally, in 91.3% of observed polling stations, no voting booths with reasonable accommodations were identified.
- Public Order Disturbances
During the early morning of Sunday, June 21, an intermunicipal passenger bus was set on fire by armed individuals on the Popayán–Cali highway, in a rural area of Santander de Quilichao. Despite the seriousness of this incident, the rapid response of the authorities prevented casualties and avoided disruptions to electoral logistics. The distribution of electoral materials, the transportation of poll workers, and the installation and opening of all polling stations in the municipality proceeded normally.
- The Right to a Free and Secret Vote
MOE reminds citizens that in Colombia, voters have the right to cast a free and secret ballot. Therefore, no one may force or coerce another person to reveal how they voted.
- “Pilas con el Voto”
As of 10:00 a.m., 87 reports of potential electoral irregularities had been received through the platform www.pilasconelvoto.com. These reports originated from 19 departments, 39 municipalities, and Bogotá, D.C. One additional report was received from Italy.
Irregularities Affecting Freedom of the Vote
28.7% of citizen reports refer to situations that could affect people’s ability to vote freely. These include alleged pressure on communities or groups of workers, as well as the distribution of money in exchange for votes. In some cases, this practice was allegedly being verified through demands for photographs of completed ballots. Reports also indicate possible cases of voter impersonation.
Irregularities Involving Polling Officials
27.5% of reports received concern possible irregularities involving poll workers. Reported situations include the use of clothing associated with political campaigns; alleged instructions regarding whom to vote for; and possible inconsistencies in the distribution and completion of electoral materials.
Political Advertising and Campaigning Violations
Despite the prohibition on political campaigning during Election Day, 24.1% of reports received refer to possible violations of these restrictions. Reported situations mainly involve: (i) The presence of electoral advertising and campaign materials near polling stations; (ii) The dissemination of messages, symbols, clothing, slogans, and content associated with political campaigns during Election Day; and (iii) The circulation of political propaganda through media outlets.
Irregularities at Polling Stations
16% of reports received relate to possible irregularities in the functioning of polling stations. Reported situations include unauthorized access to voting booths, improper accompaniment of voters inside voting areas, power outages, and restrictions on the work of electoral witnesses.
- Communication with Political Campaigns
The MOE maintained telephone communication with each campaign, with the following results: The campaign of Pacto Histórico stated that it had no major incidents to report. Meanwhile, the Defensores de la Patria campaign reported issues related to improper procedures by polling officials and the presence of political advertising at some polling stations. Both campaigns indicated that they would prepare and distribute their own reports throughout the day.
- Monitoring of the Digital Political-Electoral Conversation
Between 6:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., through eMonitor+, a total of 2,299 posts (excluding news and official publications) from X and Facebook were collected as potentially constituting toxic communication, offensive or hateful speech, and gender-based violence. Following human review and systematic content analysis, the following findings stand out:
Digital conversation shows high levels of violence and hostility, consistent with trends observed at the close of the campaign period. Attacks have evolved from personal insults to, in some cases, explicit invitations or incitement toward the physical and symbolic elimination of political opponents. Posts potentially constituting offensive or hateful speech based on ethnic-racial identity and gender continue to be identified.
Fraud narratives also persist as a mechanism of political criminalization between campaigns. These narratives are combined with general allegations regarding the security and reliability of the scrutiny software, possible alterations to Form E-14, and other situations regularly observed during Election Day, such as voter coercion. There is also an escalation toward explicit calls to reject election results and mobilize in the streets.
Given the above, MOE calls on citizens and political actors involved in the election to reject all forms of violence in political-electoral discussion and to verify information before sharing it on social media.
PUBLICACIONES RELACIONADAS:
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- Closing report of Electoral Observation Mission – MOE – Elections to the Presidency of the Republic – Second Round
- Related Documents
- All you need to know about the Electoral Observation Mission – MOE Colombia
- Everything you need to know about the Electoral Observation Mission -MOE Colombia