Through a guardianship ruling, the Superior Court of the Judicial District of Bogotá ordered the presidential candidates Rodolfo Hernández and Gustavo Petro to attend a debatebefore voting takes place next Sunday, June 19.
This decision is given after this same Court admitted for its respective study, a protection action by means of which the Anti-Corruption League candidate was intended to attend debates to publicize their proposals and government plans.
In context: Court admits guardianship for Rodolfo Hernández to attend debates
According to the plaintiffs, the guardianship was filed taking into account that These types of dynamics are essential for Colombians to be able to exercise their right to vote in a more informed manner.
I suspend my presence in electoral debates until the transparency of the vote is guaranteed.
We will act with maximum prudence and we ask the international oversight agencies to act promptly.
At this time there is no transparent chain of custody over the votes already counted.
– Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) March 21, 2022
In this way, the office indicated that the candidates must coordinate a debate, which will have to take place no later than this Thursday, June 16.
Therefore, the ruling resolves “protect the fundamental right to participate in the formation of political power enshrined in article 40 of the Political Constitution”.
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Consequently, the Court made the decision to “order the presidential candidates Rodolfo Hernández Suárez, from the Anti-Corruption Government League Political Movement, and Gustavo Petro Urrego, from the Historical Pact Coalition, that within 48 hours following the notification of this providence, jointly request and schedule, no later than Thursday, June 16, 2022, the holding of a presidential debate.”
this discussion It could be organized by the means of communication that both candidates agree on, although the ruling links the Colombian National Radio Television Public Media System – RTVC, so it would be the most option to do it.
I will not attend debates because I will not be a participant in these polarizing and hateful dynamics. I will present my ideas and proposals in interviews and on my social networks, speaking with Colombians. It’s time to stop dividing and work on the union that Colombia needs ??? pic.twitter.com/pVQvp7c3zA
— Ing Rodolfo Hernandez ??! (@ingrodolfohdez) June 2, 2022
It is worth mentioning that This activity will have to be agreed by both campaign teams to determine the topics and be carried out “in the manner and terms indicated by article 23 of Law 996 of 2005 and Resolution No. 2969 of June 1, 2022 issued by the National Electoral Council,” according to the ruling.
The protection action was also filed by the plaintiffs Alcides Enrique Arrieta Cueto, Jaime Mejía López, Laura Marcela Mosquera Giraldo, Jorge Luis Bedoya, Whenddy Vanessa Mahecha Carvajal, Catalina del Pilar Sánchez Daniels and Luis Mauricio Urquijo Tejada.
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However, in the midst of this decision, Judge Manuel Alfonso Zamudio Mora made a vote save, that is departed from the judicial determination.
Thus, both candidates will have to agree and coordinate a debate no later than this Thursday, June 16.
According to some jurists, although the ruling could be appealed, compliance must be immediatethe judgment will also be forwarded to the Constitutional Court for possible review if it is not challenged.
