The European Union's election observation mission has denied reports of malfeasance in Colombia's recent presidential race. Mission head Esteban Gonzalez Pons announced the preliminary assessment on Tuesday, calling the election “transparent, orderly, and smooth.”

“Once again, Colombia has given a lesson in democracy,” Gonzalez Pons said. “Despite the presence of illegal armed groups in parts of the country, despite questions about the electoral system, and despite growing polarisation, Colombia has brought the ballot boxes to every corner of the country.”

The mission deployed 143 observers to 591 polling stations. Two frontrunners emerged from the first round: far-right lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella and left-wing Senator Ivan Cepeda. They will face off in a June 21 runoff.

Despite pre-election polls favoring Cepeda, de la Espriella won 43.7% of the vote against Cepeda's 40.9%. Cepeda ran for the governing Historic Pact party, founded by outgoing President Gustavo Petro, who has reached his term limit.

Petro took to social media to question the tally, accusing private firms' software of adding “hundreds of thousands of votes.” “As President, I do not accept the results of the preliminary count,” he wrote.

Cepeda initially declined to comment but later conceded no irregularities. De la Espriella accused Petro and Cepeda of attempting to subvert democracy.

The EU mission found no evidence of fraud. “Despite the polarization, disinformation and tensions that marked the campaign, election day proceeded peacefully, in an orderly manner, with broad citizen participation,” said Leire Pajín Iraola.

Source: www.aljazeera.com