The National Civil Registrar has announced the third person to be named director of the Electoral Registry of Cali in two days, as authorities try to tackle the corruption scandal that has blighted the Cali mayor’s race.
The post was initially held by Hollman Ibañez, who was removed from his position on Wednesday after being accused of corruption by a candidate who was taken off the ballot for allegedly collecting false signatures.
In response to the move, Ibañez only commented that he had a “clear conscience.” It was reported Ibañez has now been moved to a role in the National Civil Registrar
The national Registrar Ariel Sanchez immediately announced his successor was to be Dr. Jose Ignacio Córdoba Delgado. However, today it was revealed Cordoba Delgado will not take the role, citing “personal reasons.”
His replacement will now be Alcides Bernard Ortiz Barbosa, a human rights specialist and economist from the Jorge Tadeo Lozano University.
Ariel Sanchez said of the changes he was “sweeping up,” adding “if I have to pass the vacuum over as well, I’ll do it.”
The scandal erupted when Rodrigo Guerrero and fellow candidate Susana Correa were accused of collecting fraudulent signatures on their petitions to stand in the mayor’s race.
Authorities are investigating claims by the candidates they were asked for bribes to solve their problems with the Electoral Registry, while Guerrero’s petition is being reviewed by the Registry and the Inspector General’s Office.