An election observation mission from the European Union has denied reports of malfeasance in Colombia’s recent presidential race, despite rumours to the contrary.
On Tuesday, the head of the EU Election Observation Mission, Esteban Gonzalez Pons, announced the group’s preliminary assessment.
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Election observers found that Sunday’s election was “transparent, orderly, and smooth”, and Gonzalez Pons hailed it as a success for democracy.
“Once again, Colombia has given a lesson in democracy,” Gonzalez Pons said in a statement.
“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 sent 143 observers to monitor 591 polling stations in Colombia, as voters cast their ballots…
MANAGEMENT & CULTURE (THE “TONE AT THE TOP”)
Fraud thrives in “sloppy” environments where leadership ignores the rules.
- The Fraud Triangle: For fraud to occur, three elements must be present: Pressure (the need for money), Rationalization (thinking “I deserve this”), and Opportunity (weak controls). You can only control the Opportunity.
- Whistleblower Hotline: Provide an anonymous way for staff to report “odd behavior.” Most internal frauds are caught via tips, not audits.
- Background Checks: Conduct credit and criminal record checks for all employees in financial or data-sensitive roles.
- Annual Ethics Training: Make sure every staff member knows that the company has a Zero Tolerance policy toward “borrowing” from petty cash or fudging overtime.