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Original article: Colombia: Iván Cepeda afirma que “el preconteo no es oficial ni vinculante” y anuncia impugnación de 33.000 mesas

Iván Cepeda: «The Preliminary Count Is Not Official or Binding»

Presidential candidate Iván Cepeda made a statement on Sunday following the announcement of the preliminary count results from the electoral runoff, clarifying that these figures lack official status and are non-binding, showing a narrow lead for far-right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella.

In remarks reported by RTVC Noticias, the Historic Pact candidate acknowledged the preliminary results but stressed that «this preliminary count is neither official nor binding». This declaration marks the beginning of a legal strategy that his campaign will deploy in the coming hours.

Additionally, Cepeda announced that his team of witnesses and lawyers will contest 33,000 polling stations nationwide during the electoral counting process. He stated that they will oversee the review of each of these stations during the official vote counting, a process that could take several days and will ultimately determine who will assume the presidency.

In closing, Iván Cepeda reaffirmed his commitment to the democratic process and stated that his political movement will accompany the counting at every stage. «We are heading to the counting and will continue building the changes that Colombia needs,» declared the candidate, as reported by RTVC Noticias. Cepeda highlighted the support gained at the polls and assured that his coalition will continue promoting their proposals through mobilization and democratic action.

A Call to Mobilize and Defend the Vote

The Historic Pact candidate emphasized that his movement will continue to actively engage in discussions on the country’s political and social transformations.

In his statements, Cepeda called on his supporters to maintain citizen mobilization and to defend the popular vote as the official verification stages of the results progress. «We will keep building the changes Colombia needs,» asserted the candidate.

Meanwhile, the director of El Ciudadano, Javier Pineda, also analyzed the elections in the country, comparing discrepancies between quick counts and official tallies, which could alter the results.

President Gustavo Petro: «No One Can Declare Themselves President Based on the Preliminary Count»

President Gustavo Petro took to his X account to call for calm and urged citizens to wait for the final vote count before declaring a winner.

According to the information provided by the Registry Office, Abelardo de la Espriella obtained 49.3% of the votes compared to 49% for Cepeda, a minimal difference that prevents either candidate from being declared president-elect.

«None of them can be proclaimed president. It is the counting that determines who is president. I obey the judges,» stated the president.

«Foreign Interference» and Call for a National Agreement

In his statement, the president asserted that the results reflect «a country divided in half» and warned of what he called «foreign interference taking away our freedom», a declaration echoed by Radio Nacional de Colombia.

In light of this situation, the president emphasized the need for «a national agreement» to ensure institutional stability and preserve the country’s peace in the coming years. «A national agreement is necessary if we want to maintain the homeland and peace in the years to come,» concluded the president.

The President Warns About E14 Forms Without Signatures

Earlier, President Petro had warned on his X account that, according to reports from digital monitors, the Registry Office was uploading E14 forms without signatures from election judges.

The president noted that «those stations must be immediately contested» and reminded that the forms must be duly signed by polling judges. The president’s warning adds to the citizens’ complaints regarding alleged irregularities during the electoral day.

Citizen Reports and Counting as the Final Instance

The electoral day on June 21 has been marked by a wave of citizen complaints regarding alleged irregularities in various regions of the country. According to information from the Ministry of the Interior via the Unified Command Post (PMU) report, 2,612 electoral complaints have been received, with Bogotá topping the list with 950 cases, followed by Antioquia, Cundinamarca, and Tolima.

See also / Presidential elections in Colombia: Partial report of public complaints about irregularities

The most recurring complaints include the appearance of ballots allegedly marked in favor of candidate Abelardo de la Espriella in at least 14 departments, vote buying in several cities, and cases of identity theft.

La entrada Colombia: Iván Cepeda Declares «Preliminary Count Is Not Official or Binding» and Plans to Challenge 33,000 Polling Stations se publicó primero en El Ciudadano.