Creation of Special Commission to Reform Colombian System

The MEE will study and state suggestions on the regulations and adjustments needed to ensure a higher autonomy in the electoral procedures in Colombia.

Santos said that 6 of the 7 members of the new team were selected by independent entities, such as the National University, the University of Los Andes, while the 7th member, comes from the Electoral Observation Mission of Colombia.

The creation of the MEE is contemplated in the peace agreements signed last year between the government and the rebel movement Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army (FARC-EP), currently in phase of demobilization.

The Cololmbian President said they have full support of the Executive to carry out these tasks, for in two months, to give the neccesary recommendations.

On November 24 Santos and the leader of the FARC-EP, Timoleón Jiménez, signed the final pact that pledged to end the long conflict between the two sides.

‘We hope that in the next elections, we already have a much more transparent and suitable system for our democracy,’ emphasized the President, who asked MEE to concentrate on matters like the financing of the political campaigns.

The past regional elections to choose mayors and governors (2015) were splashed by denunciations of fraud and other aberrations.

hr/tac/rc/ap