Amid the electoral calendar, a delegation from the Office of the Procuraduría General de la Nación visited the Central Campus of the Industrial University of Santander (UIS) to present the “Electoral Peace” strategy, an initiative aimed at ensuring safe, transparent elections free from pressure.
The event included the distribution of flyers with the electoral calendar and QR codes for additional information, as well as direct conversations with students, faculty members, and administrative staff. The message was clear: protect institutions and ensure that election results are respected.
UIS Academic Vice Rector Olga Mercedes Álvarez Ojeda welcomed the delegation and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to democracy.
“We want to join this very meaningful campaign for peaceful elections. People should be able to reflect, analyze calmly, and decide freely without any pressure,” she stated.
Álvarez Ojeda emphasized the importance of young people taking an active role in the electoral process: “They are our future, and we hope they join the campaign and participate freely in shaping what will be the country’s future.”
For her part, Magda Liliana Buendía Chacón, Regional Inspector for Instruction in Santander, explained that the strategy was promoted by Inspector General Gregorio Eljach and brings together the coordinated efforts of the Inspector General’s Office, the National Civil Registry, and the Office of the Comptroller General.
“The idea is for elections to be conducted safely, transparently, on time, and with respect for the results,” the official said, inviting the entire university community to review the educational materials and actively support the campaign.
She also noted that during the upcoming election day on March 8, officials from the Inspector General’s Office will be present at polling stations, identifiable by their yellow shirts and institutional badges, monitoring for any irregularities such as vote-buying or improper campaigning.
Students speak out
The visit did not go unnoticed among students. Sharon Daniela Avendaño Martínez, a third-semester Economics student, appreciated the institutional outreach.
“Many of us don’t know the election dates, especially for a potential second round. It’s very important that they provide us with information and are available to answer any questions,” she commented.
She also highlighted the importance of having clear channels for guidance and for reporting irregularities.
From the Floridablanca campus, Jorge David Riatiga Acevedo, a student in Cultural and Creative Business Administration, went further and linked the campaign to the current crisis of trust in politics.
“Democracy in Colombia, from the perspective of young people, is being seriously affected by corruption. We are responsible for deciding who we want to represent us. If we choose consciously, we can prevent politics from continuing to be tainted,” he said.
Democracy in the classroom
The university’s openness to hosting this type of initiative was seen as an act of institutional responsibility in a context marked by information overload and polarization.
With this visit, the Inspector General’s Office seeks to bring electoral education directly into academic spaces, convinced that classrooms shape not only professional knowledge but also civic awareness.
At a time when the legitimacy of institutions faces significant challenges, the “Electoral Peace” strategy aims to ensure that the youth vote is not only strong in numbers, but also informed, free, and vigilant.
