The National Election Council (CNE) rejected “Plan B,” a proposed voter referendum to implement life imprisonment for convicted child rapists, Colombian media reported Wednesday.
The CNE’s decision is the latest obstacle to the proposed law to sentence child rapists to life in prison.
The House of Representatives shot down the referendum on September 13, when it gathered only 14 of the 18 votes necessary to move the law forward.
After the failure in Congress, supporters of the proposal attempted to collect 1.5 million votes to allow Colombians to vote on the issue.
“Only a law approved by Congress can call a referendum,” CNE President Joaquin Jose Vives explained.