HOMBRES Y MUJERES AL SERVICIO DE LA DEMOCRACIA: Elección Atípica en Palestina, Caldas

Mauricio Jaramillo Martínez, the mayor, was found to have a family member working in the Caldas Health Department, rendering him ineligible for the position. The Tribunal de lo Contencioso Administrativo de Caldas issued a ruling on June 2, 2016, declaring the election null and void. The atypical election in 2016 featured three candidates: Iván García Cuartas from the Cambio Radical party, Germán Meza Henao from the Partido de la U, and Beatriz Elena Gil Garavito from the Alianza Social Independiente. The election was characterized by a high level of participation, with 46.12% of eligible voters casting their ballots. The MOE (Misión de Observación Electoral) was present in the municipality, with three observers deployed to monitor the electoral process. The MOE's regional office in Caldas provided training to two observers stationed at polling stations and one itinerant observer. The observers recorded their findings in observation forms specifically designed for this atypical election. The reports from the observers and the departmental coordination indicated that the electoral day proceeded normally, without any incidents or irregularities reported by the campaigns or citizens. The election was notable for its high level of transparency and citizen participation. The MOE's presence and the deployment of observers helped to ensure a smooth and peaceful electoral process. The election results showed a clear victory for one of the candidates, with a significant margin of votes. The MOE's regional office in Caldas expressed its appreciation for the work of the citizen volunteers who participated as observers in the election. The election in Palestina, Caldas, served as a model for future electoral processes in the region, demonstrating the importance of transparency, citizen participation, and the role of electoral observers in ensuring the integrity of the electoral process. The MOE's presence and the deployment of observers helped to maintain a peaceful and orderly electoral day, allowing citizens to exercise their right to vote freely and without interference.