Colombia’s Sectional Council of the Judiciary ruled that Juan Carlos Abadia should be reinstated into office, on the grounds the trial of the Valle governor for interfering in the Conservative primary elections was not in accordance with due process.
The decision suspends the order to ban Abadia from holding public office for ten years after the former governor illegally supported former Agriculture Minister Andres Felipe Arias’ bid for the presidency in the Conservative Party primaries.
The High Council of the Judiciary temporarily lifted the ban last week, which was quickly followed by a request from the Inspector General’s Office for it to be reimposed.
The Inspector General’s Office, which initially imposed the ten-year ban, said that a suspension “makes a mockery of disciplinary functions and public order and morality.”
According to Colombian law, elected officials are not allowed to interfere in or influence elections in any way, meaning that they are barred from openly supporting or opposing candidates.
