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OAS to Observe Presidential Elections in Colombia

  March 15, 2014

The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS), responding to an invitation from the Government of the Republic of Colombia, will deploy an Electoral Oversight Mission (EOM) to accompany the upcoming Presidential elections to be held on May 25, 2014.

To head this Mission, the Secretary General of the Organization, José Miguel Insulza, has appointed former Costa Rican President José María Figueres Olsen. Figueres was President of Costa Rica from 1994 to 1998. During his political career he also held the posts of Minister of Foreign Trade and Minister of Agriculture of his country.

Internationally, former President Figueres has emerged as a pioneer in the relationship between technology and sustainable development. He is currently the President of the "Carbon War Room" organization and co-Director of the Global Ocean Commission. He previously headed the United Nations Information and Communication Technology Task Force and was Director General of the World Economic Forum.

The EOM will observe various components of the process, including electoral organization, use of technology, and campaign financing. After the elections, a report with recommendations to help improve the Colombian electoral system will be presented to the OAS Permanent Council.

Reference: E-095/14