Colombia’s Inspector General’s Office said it received 215 complaints about irregularities over Sunday’s congressional elections. Most of the complaints concern public officials illegally endorsing candidates.
In the first hours after the opening of the polling stations at 8 AM, the Office’s special phone service received 28 calls; half were to ask information on where to vote, the other half to complain about irregularities taking place on election day.
However, the National Registry, responsible for the correct administration of votes, told Caracol Radio that delays in the arrival of ballots and other inconveniences were rapidly taken care of.
Colombia’s Defense Minister, Gabriel Silva, stressed that the elections are taking place without any major incidents.
According to Silva, some 440,000 policemen and soldiers are in charge of preventing any disturbances of the public order that could endanger the democratic process.
The Organization of American States sent 100 international observers to monitor the fairness of the elections.
Colombias can vote until 4PM (ET). The results of the elections are expected to be known around 11PM (ET). According to the National Registry, 95% of the votes will be counted by then.