• In Colombia, the secret ballot is a right that guarantees freedom of suffrage. No one may force or coerce another person to disclose how they voted.
• Following reports of alleged impersonation of the organization, the Electoral Observation Mission (MOE) reminds citizens and authorities that all members of its observation team are fully identified by official MOE caps and shirts displaying the organization’s logo.
• The MOE has identified false messages circulating on social media and WhatsApp that promote disinformation regarding electoral procedures and public order conditions.

Bogotá, D.C., May 31, 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 the electoral day for the first 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.

This assessment covers observations made from the beginning of the electoral day until 10:00 a.m. The main findings include:

1. Public Order Disturbances

During the early hours of the day, two public order incidents were reported in rural areas of the country. Neither affected the normal development of the electoral process. (i) In the district of Filo Gringo, municipality of El Tarra (Norte de Santander), clashes occurred between two illegal armed groups. (ii) In a rural area of the municipality of El Paujil (Caquetá), the detonation of an explosive device was reported.

The MOE calls upon the Public Force to strengthen security conditions in these areas. And this in order to ensure that these incidents do not affect voting activities, vote counting at polling stations, or the transportation of electoral materials at the close of the polls.

2. The Right to a Free and Secret Vote

The 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. This safeguard is essential to protecting voter freedom and, above all, shielding the democratic process from pressure, manipulation, or inducements in exchange for votes.

3. Pilas con el Voto 

As of 10:00 a.m., 60 reports of potential electoral irregularities had been received through the platform www.pilasconelvoto.com. These reports originated from 26 municipalities, 15 departments and Bogotá. Additional reports were received from abroad, particularly from Canada, Malta, and the United States.

Irregularities at Polling Stations

Forty percent (40%) of the reports relate to: (i) Delays in the opening of polling stations; (ii) Difficulties accessing the witness accreditation platform; and (iii) Logistical problems that allegedly caused congestion and long waiting times for voters. These situations were reported mainly in Bogotá, Acacías (Meta), Pasto (Nariño), and Santa Rosa de Viterbo (Boyacá).

Additional reports from abroad referred to: (i) Insufficient capacity at certain polling locations; and (ii) Difficulties in ensuring adequate voting conditions for Colombian citizens residing abroad. These situations were reported in Montreal (Canada) and Valletta (Malta).

Campaigning and Advertising Violations

Despite the prohibition of electoral advertising on Election Day, 28% of reports referred generally to: (i) The presence of campaign advertising inside and around polling stations; (ii) The mass distribution of campaign-related text messages involving the improper use of personal data; (iii) The use of campaign-related symbols or insignia by individuals present at polling stations; and (iv) Political advertising on digital platforms.

These reports originated mainly from Bogotá, Medellín, Armenia, Sincelejo, and Valledupar.

Public Administration Irregularities

Fifteen percent (15%) of reports concern potential irregularities involving the exercise of public functions during Election Day. Reported situations include: (i) Alleged failures by polling station workers to comply with procedures and responsibilities, including the use of mobile devices at voting tables; (ii) Restrictions on the functions of accredited electoral witnesses; and (iii) Inconsistencies when it comes to filling out electoral documents. These reports were received primarily from Bogotá, San José del Guaviare, and Guamal (Meta).

Irregularities Affecting Freedom of the Vote

Eight percent (8%) of citizen reports refer to situations that may affect voter autonomy and ballot secrecy. These include allegations of attempts to influence voters through offers of benefits, as well as the improper arrangement of voting booths, allowing third parties to observe how voters cast their ballots.

Reports originated from Bucaramanga, Machetá (Cundinamarca), and Guarne (Antioquia).

4. Disinformation in Digital Environments

i. Voting Abroad

The MOE monitored public discussions on social media and digital platforms throughout the final week of the electoral process and identified the dissemination of purported early results, electoral trends, and irreversible advantages for specific candidates. It also identified posts alleging voting irregularities, voting restrictions, tampering with electoral forms, manipulation of results platforms, and possible electoral fraud. While some of these posts originated from legitimate citizen complaints, many were amplified without verification or sufficient evidence.

ii. Voting Within National Territory. During today’s electoral process, the MOE identified two false narratives of particular concern circulating on social media regarding electoral procedures and public order.

First, a misleading message called on citizens who were not registered in the location where they were currently present to request an “E-12 Form” and vote there. The MOE reminds citizens that they may only vote at the polling station where they are registered, which can be verified through the website of the National Civil Registry.

Second, false or outdated information regarding public order disturbances that are not occurring during this election day has been circulating. The MOE stresses the importance of verifying any information received through social media or messaging applications and comparing it with reliable sources.

5. Electoral Observation Activities

The MOE deployed observers in coordination with 34 regional offices across 31 departments of Colombia. This observation effort covers 77% of the country’s electoral potential and has gathered the following information:

During the opening of the polls, reports were received from 1,822 voting tables located in 1,389 polling stations, 12% of which were situated in rural areas. The MOE observation team documented various findings concerning the neutrality of poll workers and electoral witnesses, as well as the use of digital identification cards.

On Poll workers. Electoral observers identified concerns regarding the principle of neutrality at polling stations. At 12% of the voting tables observed, poll workers were seen wearing campaign-related insignia. This is particularly significant because, under the law and as the highest authority at each voting table, poll workers must act independently, neutrally, and impartially.

On Electoral Witnesses. At 20% of the observed voting tables, electoral witnesses were reported to be wearing campaign-related symbols or materials in addition to their official credentials, which also undermines the neutral environment that should characterize polling stations.

The MOE therefore urges political organizations to strictly comply with current regulations and calls on electoral authorities to strengthen oversight and control regarding the identification permitted for both polling officials and electoral witnesses, limiting it exclusively to their official credentials.

Use of the Digital ID Card. The observation team also reported difficulties with the use of Colombia’s digital identification card at 37% of the observed voting tables. This highlights the need to strengthen procedures and improve the availability and performance of the technological equipment used during the electoral process.

The MOE revoked the accreditation of one observer in the department of Putumayo for violating the organization’s Code of Ethics.

6. Electoral Observation with a Differential Approach

According to the information collected, 59% of the observed polling stations did not display informational posters containing QR codes linking to protocols designed to guarantee the rights of transgender persons and persons with disabilities.

Regarding observation of the Trans Voting Protocol and its implementation:

• Although prohibited, polling station authorities requested additional documents or procedures from two (2) transgender observers to verify their identity.

• Four (4) transgender observers heard discriminatory remarks or received discriminatory treatment. In three of these cases, repeated references were made using terms that did not correspond to the observers’ gender identity, even after they had indicated the adequate form of addressing them.

With respect to guarantees for the voting rights of persons with disabilities, 17% of observed polling stations lacked adequate physical accessibility conditions to facilitate independent mobility, while 12% of observed polling stations did not have voting stations with reasonable accommodations.

7. Attempts to Impersonate the Electoral Observation Mission

Finally, the MOE reports that it has unfortunately received complaints regarding attempts to impersonate the organization. In this regard, we remind both citizens and authorities that MOE observers are fully identified when carrying out their duties through both the accreditation issued by the National Electoral Council (CNE) and the MOE cap and shirt displaying the organization’s logo, which identify us in every election.

PUBLICACIONES RELACIONADAS:

• Second report Electoral Observation Mission MOE – Elections to the Presidency of the Republic. First round
• Second Report of the Electoral Observation Mission (MOE) – Presidential Elections, First Round – May 31, 2026
• Second report Electoral Observation Mission Colombia – Congressional Elections and inter-party consultations – March 13, 2022
• First report Election Observation Mission MOE elections to the presidency of the republic. Second round.
• Second report Election Observation Mission – MOE Elections to the presidency of the republic second round