Colombia Politics: Citizens vote on proposals designed to fight corruption

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02:06

Colombians are headed to the polls for the FOURTH time this year. But it's not to vote for their favorite politicians. This time, it's to fight corruption in Congress. CGTN's Michelle Begue reports.

Millions of Colombians are sick of the corruption in their country and this Sunday they are going to try to do something about it.

MARIA BOGOTA CITIZEN "I want this country to change and we need drastic change and we are being given the opportunity for the first time in our history to do something good for our country."

MARIANI CARPIO BOGOTA CITIZEN "The politicians haven't done anything about it, and there has been a lot of impunity. So we want them to be held responsible, and that is why I will be voting on the referendum."

OSCAR GALINDO BOGOTA CITIZEN "I want to set a precedent that citizens are no longer complacent to this corruption."

On Sunday citizens are invited to vote on seven proposals to end corruption. For the results to be valid, more than 12 million citizens must go out and vote - this is less than one third of eligible voters.

The seven proposals - which are presented in the referendum as questions - seek to punish corruption and guarantee public accountability.

A week before the vote, politicians who are supporting the bill made a reggaeton music video to appeal to voters. They call corruption Colombia's cancer and mock legislators who have done nothing to fight it.

CLAUDIA LOPEZ FORMER SENATOR "We have a mechanism in the constitution that allows for a popular vote - by way of this consultation - to give an order to Congress that in one years time, they must pass these proposals."

MICHELLE BEGUE BOGOTA "Colombian President Ivan Duque has confirmed his support for the referendum, but his party the Democratic Center party recently removed its support."

Former President Alvaro Uribe and Democratic Center Party members say they will push through their own anti-corruption legislation. But if Colombians get out and vote, they may be able to take corruption matters into their own hands. Michelle Begue, CGTN Bogota.