🗳🇨🇴 Experts of the International Association of Political and Electoral Expertise took part in observing the elections in Colombia

On May 31, Colombia held the first round of its presidential elections, choosing a head of state and vice president for the 2026–2030 term. Eleven candidates participated, but none reached the 50% threshold required for an outright win. Voter turnout was approximately 54%, consistent with recent campaign averages. A runoff will take place on June 21 between the two frontrunners, Abelardo de la Espriella and Iván Cepeda. Incumbent President Gustavo Petro was unable to seek reelection, as the Colombian constitution prohibits it.

🌏 Members of the International Association of Political and Electoral Expertise (IAPEE), with the support of the Observatory of Electoral Studies (OEEPI-UNLP), served as observers at overseas polling stations during the election. A total of twelve observers representing eleven countries took part in the mission. The observer group included representatives from Latin America, North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. According to preliminary reports, the mission noted a high level of organization in the voting process.

📌 This geographical distribution strengthens the international character of the observation effort. It shows that the mission was not limited to neighboring states or a single political region, but brought together experts from different electoral traditions and legal-political contexts. At the same time, the strong presence of countries from the Global South — including Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East — gives the mission additional value from the perspective of comparative electoral expertise and South-South professional cooperation.