Frustration is mounting among election officials in Bogotá as Colombia’s capital prepares to finalize results from the March 8, 2026 legislative elections and presidential consultations. A member of a vote-counting commission at the Corferias convention center voiced her exasperation, noting a form E-14 had been incorrectly marked with lines instead of left blank for candidates who received no votes – a deviation from official instructions.
The issue, captured in audio and an image shared with La Silla, highlights potential delays in the official count as officials grapple with improperly completed ballots. The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of the electoral process following unsubstantiated claims of fraud.
President Gustavo Petro recently stated that leaving spaces blank on the E-14 forms “leads to electoral fraud.” However, this claim has been debunked. Filling in unmarked boxes with symbols like “x’s” or asterisks can complicate the reading and digitization of the forms, potentially slowing down the process.
Andrea Riaño, who has assisted vote-counting commissions for three elections, recalled similar issues in 2022. “It was tough,” she said, describing how filled-in spaces made it difficult to accurately tally votes. “I learned to count votes then.” She explained that markings obscured the actual votes cast, making the process slower for judges to review and certify the results.
This year, election officials were instructed to abandon spaces blank for candidates who did not receive any votes, a measure intended to streamline the process. “Hopefully, they followed the instructions, and they arrive nice and clear,” Riaño said.
The official scrutiny process differs from the initial quick count, or *preconteo*, conducted immediately after polls closed. The scrutiny involves a detailed, official count carried out by judges and notaries, publicly and under the observation of electoral authorities, witnesses, and political parties. This process is legally binding, unlike the *preconteo*.
- Riaño stated that the commission will initiate processing the electoral materials today, working until midnight and continuing throughout the week from 9 a.m. To 9 p.m. She anticipates completing their operate by Friday.
- This is only for the auxiliary commission, but the results will then proceed to municipal scrutiny, followed by departmental scrutiny, and finally, national scrutiny by the National Electoral Council (CNE). The entire process could take several weeks.
Registrar Juan Penagos reported that the *preconteo* has progressed more quickly this year compared to 2022. By 8 p.m. On March 8, 2026, 79% of the tables had reported, compared to 66% four years prior. “The *preconteo* is progressing without any setbacks,” Penagos said.
Amid the vote counting, concerns about electoral disinformation are also surfacing. “It’s frustrating that they always throw dirt on us,” Riaño said, referring to the accusations of fraud she has heard. “I believe it’s terrible. We fight to present transparency and for a clean democracy.”
Election materials have already arrived at the scrutiny commissions at Corferias.
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