Colombian President Gustavo Petro has once again voiced strong criticism regarding the transparency of the electoral system as the country approaches its legislative elections slated for March 8. During a televised address, Petro highlighted concerns over the National Registry’s failure to adhere to a judicial mandate that requires the implementation of a state audit-friendly software, casting doubt on the integrity of the electoral process. His comments come at a crucial time when citizens will be electing representatives for the Senate and the House of Representatives as well as candidates for the presidential elections scheduled for May 31.

Petro specifically called into question the current computing system, which has been contracted out to a private company. He warned that by the time the elections occur, it will be impossible to perform a technical audit of the source code, raising alarms about potential opacity in the algorithms used to count the votes. This lack of oversight, according to Petro, could undermine the entire electoral process, leading to further distrust among the electorate and skepticism about the results.

The President also criticized the preliminary count conducted on the day of voting, which he argued lacks legal standing and does not offer reliable assurance of accurate vote counting. This situation reflects deeper concerns around electoral integrity in Colombia, which remains a pressing issue as the country prepares for a significant electoral event that will shape its political landscape in the coming months.