- Following a peaceful Election Day, MOE acknowledges citizen participation, the coordination and cooperation of the authorities, and the work carried out by polling officials and electoral witnesses. It also calls on citizens to await the official preliminary count reports and the final scrutiny results in peace and calm.
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 second observation report, corresponding to the monitoring of Election Day during the second round of the 2026 presidential elections. This document compiles information reported by 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 3:00 p.m. The main findings include:
- Electoral Observation with a Differential Approach
Regarding guarantees for the exercise of voting rights by transgender persons and persons with disabilities, Election Day has unfolded normally. However, in some cases, transgender observers reported that certain electoral authorities at polling stations were unwilling to answer questions related to the electoral observation exercise concerning awareness and implementation of the Trans Voting Protocol.
The MOE highlights that during the day it received information from the National Institute for the Blind (INCI) indicating the need to review the thickness of Braille ballots in order to facilitate and ensure their proper readability.
- “Pilas con el Voto”
As of 3:00 p.m., 309 reports of potential electoral irregularities had been received through the platform www.pilasconelvoto.com.These reports originated from 25 departments, 89 municipalities, and Bogotá, D.C. Reports were also received from France, the United States, Canada, and Italy.
Irregularities Affecting Freedom of the Vote
32.4% of citizen reports refer to situations that could affect people’s ability to exercise their right to vote freely. These include alleged cases of vote-buying and voter coercion, through the provision of money, goods, or benefits in exchange for votes, as well as pressure exerted on communities, workers, and other population groups to influence their electoral choice.
Several reports indicate that these practices may be accompanied by verification mechanisms, such as requiring photographs of completed ballots or proof of voting certificates. Reports also include complaints of improper accompaniment inside voting booths and possible cases of voter impersonation.
Irregularities Related to the Conduct of Poll Workers and Improper Political Participation
31% of the reports received concern possible irregularities involving polling officials and public authorities during Election Day.
Regarding polling officials, reports point to alleged conduct that could compromise neutrality and the proper functioning of the voting table, including: wearing clothing, symbols, or expressions associated with political campaigns; direct or indirect instructions to voters regarding whom to vote for; expressions of support for or opposition to specific candidates; improper use of cell phones; abandonment of the voting table; and possible inconsistencies in the delivery, signing, custody, and completion of electoral materials, including unsigned ballots, ballots with prior markings, or ballots lacking table numbers.
Reports involving public authorities include possible cases of improper participation in political activity. These situations involve public statements or actions appearing to favor specific candidates, alleged pressure or coercion attributed to public officials, improper guidance regarding voting choices, and insufficient institutional responses to citizen complaints.
Political Advertising and Campaigning Violations
Despite the prohibition on political campaigning during Election Day, 22.6% of reports received mainly concern:(i) The presence of electoral advertising, posters, campaign tents, and campaign materials near polling stations; (ii) Campaign activities involving distinctive clothing, slogans, music, gatherings of supporters, and distribution of propaganda during Election Day; and (iii) The dissemination of political content and campaign messages through media outlets, social media, and other digital channels during the restricted electoral period.
Irregularities at Polling Stations
10% of the reports received relate to possible irregularities in the functioning of polling stations. Reported situations include: (i) Obstacles or limitations affecting access to and participation in the electoral process, including public utility interruptions, mobility restrictions, long lines, and congestion at polling stations; (ii) Deficiencies in polling station logistics and operations, such as problems in voting table organization, issues with voting booth placement, and difficulties ensuring ballot secrecy; and (iii) Incidents that could affect transparency, including improper use of mobile phones.
MOE also received several reports concerning electoral materials with printing stains or marks. Although no difficulties have been reported preventing citizens from casting their vote, the National Civil Registry (Registraduría) issued guidance through its social media channels instructing that any ballot showing printing defects should be replaced to ensure voter confidence and peace of mind.
- Communication with Political Campaigns
MOE maintained telephone communication with each campaign, with the following results: The campaign of Pacto Histórico reported receiving complaints regarding (1) Vote-buying, (2) ballots that were pre-marked or contained markings/cross-outs, and (3) allegations of voter impersonation. The campaign requested verification at each voting table to ensure ballots meet legal requirements and correspond to the correct table; that recounts and thorough reviews of null votes be permitted at the tables; and that each reported incident be reviewed during the scrutiny process. Finally, the campaign stated that it considers it essential that scrutiny proceedings not be closed before the publication of delegated E-14 forms.
Meanwhile, the Defensores de la Patria campaign reported no additional incidents between the first report and the closing of this second report.
- Monitoring the Digital Political-Electoral Conversation
Between 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., digital conversation showed an intensification of hostility and polarization, with a greater presence of direct insults, dehumanizing content, and messages that legitimize or incite violence in response to potentially unfavorable electoral outcomes, alongside increasing challenges to the legitimacy of information derived from the preliminary count.
During this same period, an increase in electoral fraud narratives was observed. These narratives became more complex by incorporating allegations regarding the alleged removal or weakening of electoral security measures. These narratives were reinforced by posts denouncing supposed irregularities such as the distribution of pre-marked ballots, vote-buying and selling, and voter coercion, thereby expanding distrust from electoral authorities to broader concerns about the integrity and freedom of the vote.
PUBLICACIONES RELACIONADAS:
- First Report of the Electoral Observation Mission —MOE— 2026 Presidential Elections – Second Round – June 21, 2026
- 429 MOE observers will be accompanying the elections of the Colombian Coffee Growers’ Federation
- MOE Strategic Plans: Our Missionary Roadmap
- All you need to know about the Electoral Observation Mission – MOE Colombia
- Everything you need to know about the Electoral Observation Mission -MOE Colombia