The National Electoral Council (CNE) of Colombia postponed, for the second time, until October 8, the analysis and voting of the presentation that charges the campaign of President Gustavo Petro for alleged violation of financing limitsThe organization reported this Monday.
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The CNE had planned to debate in its session today the presentation in favor of investigating the ‘Petro Presidente 2022-2026’ campaign, but He again postponed the decision because Altus Baquero, whose election as a magistrate had been annulled but was reinstated, argued that he should know and study the file.
“Judge Altus Baquero exercised the right to request the file in rotation. However, the time that Judge Altus has requested allows us to make the decision, as we did, that the next full court session will be on Tuesday, October 8.“, the president of the CNE, César Lorduy, told reporters.
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This is the second time that the CNE has postponed the decision. On the 16th, Judge Alba Lucía Velásquez, who was ill, asked to see the file and the courtroom was adjourned until today.
Lorduy added that the decision on the presentation will be made without pressure in reference to what was stated by Petro, who affirms that the CNE does not have the power to investigate it.
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Magistrates of the National Electoral Council
National Electoral Council
“It is not an ‘express’ decision, it is a decision that we could have taken even today, or we could have taken the previous week, but the law must be applied“Lorduy pointed out.
The judge emphasized that the full room of the CNE “is interested in this issue being decided as quickly as possible to the extent that the debate allows“.
Likewise, he said that the decision will be based on the facts that appear in the file.
“We have no pressure, we do not receive pressure, the only pressure from us is the file that must be seen, must be studied and must be evaluated in law.“he concluded.
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The investigation against Petro
Petro and National Electroral Council
Alexa Rochi. Presidency – Claudia Rubio / Portfolio
The preliminary investigation of the CNE, led by magistrates Benjamín Ortiz, of the Liberal Party, and Álvaro Hernán Prada, of the Uribista Democratic Center, concluded that Petro’s campaign exceeded spending limits by more than 5.3 billion pesos (1.27 million dollars) and that he also received contributions from legal entities, something prohibited by electoral law.
On the other hand, the Superior Court of Bogotá admitted a protection (recourse for protection) filed by the representative of the Chamber Heráclito Landinez, of the Historical Pact, of Petro’s party, which seeks that the investigation against the head of State be in the Commission of Impeachments of the House of Representatives.
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Landinez argued that The investigations of the electoral body could result in the dismissal of Petro, which, according to him, would violate not only his right, but also that of the 11 million Colombians who voted by the president.
“With this decision, the Superior Court of Bogotá will review how my fundamental right is being threatened and will make a decision.“, said the Pacto congressman in his X account.
EFE
