Colombia's Uribe faces re-election setback

BOGOTA, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- Millions of referendum signatures in support of Colombian President Alvaro Uribe's second re-election bid are invalid, an electoral body says.

The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday this week's ruling by Colombia's National Electoral Council represented a major setback to Uribe's attempt to remain president of the South American country.

The electoral body ruled Thursday the millions of signatures obtained by Uribe supporters in an attempt to change the Constitution were acquired inappropriately.

The council said the organization of supporters spent nearly six times the legal campaign limit obtaining the referendum signatures, the Journal said.

If passed, the referendum would abolish term limits under Colombia's Constitution and allow Uribe to seek a third term as president in next May's elections.

Luis Guillermo Giraldo, head of the referendum signature movement, vowed to appeal the council's decision.

The Journal said the proposed referendum will go before Colombia's constitutional court for a final ruling in January.