An NGO observing Colombia’s electoral process Monday accused Accion Social, Colombia’s presidential aid agency for the displaced, of pressuring displaced people to vote for Partido de la U candidates in the upcoming national elections.
Ted Lewis, director of NGO Global Exchange’s electoral observation mission, told Caracol Radio that the organization had received reports of officials, and even candidates, visiting displaced Colombians and warning them that they would not receive benefits from the aid agency if they did not vote Partido de la U.
Lewis said that such occurrences had taken place in the departments of Cordoba, Antioquia, Santander and Cauca.
Accion Social director Diego Molano denied knowledge of the claims.
Molano said Accion Social is investigating one such case in Barbosa, Santander, but did not specify which political movement was involved. He said Accion Social is seeking a meeting with Global Exchange to discuss the allegations.
Lewis said that Global Exchange will release a complete report, including the names of those allegedly involved in the voter intimidation, in the next few days.