Independent electoral observers on Monday sent a letter to President Alvaro Uribe reminding him not to attempt to influence the upcoming presidential elections, after Uribe on several occasions made remarks criticizing candidate Antanas Mockus.
“We want to express our concern about the effect statements made by you … may have on the electoral process that currently is taking place in the country. As you well know, the current Colombian law prohibits this kind of intervention in political discussions, as in your current position you are a symbol of national unity, which should be more important than the electoral contests,” the Electoral Observation Mission wrote.
The NGO refers to statements made by Uribe in which he implied that it was because of then-Bogota mayor Antanas Mockus’ poor security policies that Uribe nearly fell victim to a murder attempt.
Colombia’s constitution prohibits all those holding public office from influencing ongoing elections.