With less than three weeks to go until the simultaneous internal party elections of the Colorado Party, scheduled for June 7, pressure is mounting for greater transparency in the process. Dissident Senator Lilian Samaniego has requested the Party Electoral Tribunal (TEP) to conduct technical audits on the voting machines to be used, aiming to “dispel any kind of doubt” about the reliability of the electronic system.
Samaniego noted that the procedure was scheduled for February this year but was not carried out, raising concern among internal movements of the ANR. She stated that various sectors of the party had already formalized the request to the TEP, considering the measure essential to ensure the integrity of the election.
In response, Eduardo González, Director of the ANR Cabinet, stated that Samaniego’s movement has representatives on the TEP and should have followed the electoral timeline since the registration of candidacies between January and February. González added that the senator was invited to party meetings on the issue but did not attend any.
The President of the TEP, Santiago Brizuela, expressed support for the audit request, emphasizing that the tribunal is interested in ensuring all technical guarantees. However, Brizuela clarified that the administration, rental, and control of the equipment are the responsibility of the Superior Electoral Justice Tribunal (TSJE).
Separately, Congress President Basilio “Bachi” Núñez announced that he will present a bill to allow voters to have two preferential votes in the 2028 general elections, instead of the current semi-closed list system with only one preferential vote. Núñez stated that the proposal was initially raised by the opposition and that he intends to expand it: “Instead of the citizen having the possibility to cast one preferential vote, allow them to cast two preferential votes. This will give voters more options; there are countries that have three preferences, we have only one.”