Abstention has always been a stumbling block to overcome in elections, not only in Colombia but, particularly in Antioquia, where the vote for Congress is not so high.
In 2018, the turnout for the Senate was 45.1%, with 2,113,865 voters; meanwhile, for the Chamber it was 44.8%, with 2,099,208. This means that not even half of the eligible electoral census was reached. But nevertheless, the department, due to its number of inhabitants, is one of those that contributes the most voters at the national level with an electoral census of more than 5 million people at present.
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“Although Antioquia is, according to the electoral census, one of the areas with the greatest potential for voters, it does not mean that participation will be the same, taking into account that this census is of almost five million one hundred thousand people, electoral participation is permeated according to the type of vote: mayorship in municipalities, council compared to what is approaching Congress and coalitions, because in the first case there can be greater participation due to how close the political issue is perceived compared to the second”, explained Jorge Andrés Rico, professor at the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, UPB.
For the political analyst, Miguel Jaramillo, there would be a growth of 25% more voters.
“Although traditionally the election of public corporations, and more so the Congress, due to the levels of disbelief, collegiate exercise, dynamics of checks and balances, little visibility of the individual figure, recognition or association with the traditional political class, makes people go out to vote less,” said Jaramillo.
The National Registry announced that more polling stations will be available in Antioquia for these congressional elections, which would be an incentive for many citizens to go to the polls.
“We will have 123 more voting stations compared to the last elections, which are 1,260 more tables in the territory and there will be greater accessibility to voting,” said the National Registrar of Civil Status, Alexander Vega Rocha, during his most recent visit.
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A higher turnout of young voters would be expected.
Juan Augusto Cardona
However, this might not be enough of an inducement if apathy is more important.
“Antioquia will be able to give a significant participation, but it is difficult to give more than 70%, and the impact that Medellín and the metropolitan area provide influences. I do not think it will change much with respect to what has been given previously, more because it is for Congress and Consultations, whether due to apathy, lack of interest or weak knowledge about the importance or how to vote, in the case of preferred and non-preferred lists, “added the rich teacher.
This year, the elections have an additional ingredient and that is that voters can request a ballot to elect the candidate for the presidency of Colombia from three coalitions: Team for Colombia, Historic Pact and Hope Center Coalition. This situation would lead more people to go to the polls this coming March 13.
“The fact that there are consultations for the presidency always becomes an incentive to generate more votes,” Jaramillo said in response to this.
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The Governor of Antioquia, Aníbal Gaviria, stressed that the electoral cards will be easy to use and understand.
Government of Antioquia
However, the issue is also in doubt due to the abstentionist tradition in Colombia.
“National, Abstentionism rates historically oscillate between 50 and 60%, which has led to Colombian political culture being defined as a culture of abstentionism.and that generates a greater weight for the situation, because it remains in data and figures, and this must be taken to particular analyzes in territories and sectors, to diagnose factors that weaken participation”, added the teacher.
Another aspect to take into account is whether young people will have greater participation as voters because they are seen to be more active on social networks, for example, but the reality could be different, at least in the case of elections to Congress.
“I would believe that within the voting rates it is always much more complex that young people between 18 and 22 years old go out to vote, it is the most complex group. However, for the issue of Congress, one does see that since these are slightly more collegiate elections, with more presence of the machinery than of opinion, it could be less likely that there will be more youth voting,” said Miguel Jaramillo.
The pulse on abstention will be known after March 13, the first date of this year’s electoral meeting in Antioquia and in the country.
DAVID STREET
MEDELLIN WEATHER
On Twitter: @davidcalle1
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