ADVERTISING
As we start our fourth year, we thank God for His Grace, and all our readers for your support.
The Ibero-American Congress for Life and Family denounces irregularities in the recounting of votes, which affect the candidacy of the Christian party ‘Colombia Justa Libres’.
John Milton, candidate totheSenate , spokeman of ‘Colombia Justa Libres’ party / Archivo El País
Given the evident irregularities in the vote recount in the recent elections in Colombia, the Ibero-American Congress for Life and Family (CIVyF in Spanish) has issued a statement, expressing its concern about this “threat to the most fundamental bases of the democratic system”.
The CIVyF demands ‘fair play’ in the counting of votes, and asks those in charge of it to “diligently fulfill the responsibilities that have been entrusted to them by the nation with independence and rigour".
‘COLOMBIA JUSTA LIBRES’
“It is especially alarming that these irregularities affect specifically the candidacy of ‘Colombia Justa Libres’, a movement that represents a significant part of Colombian society”, it says.
According to the statement, that “seems an attempt to use the manipulation to silence the voice of a citizen candidacy that is far from the power”.
‘Colombia Justa Libres’ is a Christian party of recent creation that aims to “speak for those who do not have a voice, starting with children, even the unborn, and also for those who suffer social and economic injustice and nobody raises their voice for them”.
REVIEW OF THE VOTE RECOUNT
This Tuesday, April 3, the National Electoral Council begins the review of the national vote.
That is why the ‘Colombia Justa Libres’ party, in a public note, asks the authorities, the auditing bodies, the prosecutor's office, the media, the electoral observation mission, and also the community in general, “to pay attention to the development of this activity”.
“We do not want to see the same situation happening to the political party Mira, which, due to the manipulation of the computer system of the Registry Office, saw their votes modified, preventing them from exercising their political activities”.
The development of this final stage will take about 2 weeks.
ENOUGH VOTES FOR PRESENTING CANDIDACIES
The National Registry Office of the State, has informed that the updating of the data collected in the scrutiny was presented on Tuesday, March 27, 2018.
Despite the irregularities, the polling data show that ‘Colombia Justa Libres’ has gotten 462,529 votes in the counted tables, so that at this time they have exceeded the electoral threshold required to obtain candidacies.
As a result, they get 3 seats to the Senate of the Republic, 1 seat to the Chamber of Representatives of Bogotá and are pending to define 1 seat to the House of Representatives of Valle del Cauca, a great success for such a young party.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Regarding the presidential elections, ‘Colombia Justa Libres’ wants to conclude everything concerning this stage of elections for the Congress of the Republic first.
Afterwards, according to Jhon Milton Rodríguez, official spokesman of the party, they have a series of meetings with the representative leaders of the 32 departments of the country, where they will decide its position in the presidential elections.
No one in the world has shown more willingness to forgive every human being than God.
The caper is native to Southeast Asia, but it is common throughout the Mediterranean basin and in many other parts of the world.
In Western Europe today the majority of the church is made up of the relatively wealthy middle classes.
The horses of the ‘Franches’ are amongst the hardiest that exist.
Christians in politics?
What is the role of Christians serving in politics? An interview with Auke Minnema, the new General Director of the European Christian Political Movement (ECPM).
Michael Ramsden: Communicating the Gospel in today’s societies
RZIM International Director Michael Ramsden responds to questions about the secularisation of Europe, the role of Christians in public leadership and the new ‘culture of victimism’.
Michael Schluter: Relationships are the key to build Europe
The economist summarises the manifesto “Confederal Europe: Strong Nations, Strong Union” and explains why personal relationships should be at the centre of our economy, education and democracy.
Efraim Tendero: Relationship with Roman Catholicism and other current issues
The World Evangelical Alliance Secretary General participated in the Italian Evangelical Alliance assembly (Rome, 8-9 April). In this interview with Evangelical Focus, Bp Tendero talks about the need to listen to local churches and to face challenges like the refugee crisis and climate change.
Greg Pritchard: European Leadership Forum
Pritchard explains the vision of ELF, comments on the 2015 event in Poland and reflects on what it means to have an "evangelical identity".
Evi Rodemann: Youth and mission
“We want to see the youth not just being equipped, but also being multipliers”, Evi Rodemann director of Mission-Net. The European Congress took place in Germany from December 28 to January 2.
Coexistence in the church - a model for society
“Gospel, identity and coexistence” were the themes of the General Assembly of the Spanish Evangelical Alliance. Two days in Palma de Mallorca to reflect about the role of evangelical churches in society.
'Ungi kulimi changana'
Educator and journalist Jordi Torrents shares images of the Sekeleka social centre in Mozambique. About 50 children live there, many with some kind of disability. All photos were taken with permission.
The President in an evangelical church on Christmas Eve
For the first time, the President of Portugal attended a worship service in an evangelical church. It was in Sintra, on Christmas Eve.
I am not on sale
Young Christians gathered at Madrid’s central square Sol to denounce human trafficking. A flashmob highlighted the work of three evangelical NGOs which support women who escape sexual slavery in Spain.
Stamps to commemorate the Reformation
Poland, Lithuania, Namibia and Brazil are some of the countries that have issued special stamps on the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s 95 theses.
Why are Christian leaders particularly vulnerable to sexual temptation?
“The reasons why somebody might have sex with a prostitute are very different from the reasons why somebody might want to have an affair with a member of their congregation”. An analysis by John Stevens, National Director of FIEC (UK).
Be safe on social media
A video about the way traffickers target teenage girls online, produced by anti-slavery gorup Abolishion.
In Mission
A 360º lyric video about how all followers of Jesus Christ are called to serve God. Duo in Spanish (Alex Sampedro) and Portuguese (Marcos Martins).
Heart
A short animation film by Swiss cartoonist Alain Auderset tells the message of the Bible in four minutes.
Philip Yancey interview
An 8-minute interview with Philip Yancey on the role of Christians in a secularised society. Recorded in Madrid, September 2016.
An interview with Prof. John Lennox
New atheism, the definition of "faith", Christianity in Europe, the role of the Bible in mission, and the need to listen more. An exclusive interview recorded at "Forum Apologética" (Tarragona, Spain) in May 2016.
Opinions expressed are those of their respective contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of Evangelical Focus.
If you want to comment, or