Presidential Elections 2026 in Colombia: Follow the Election Day
Authorities maintain surveillance at polling stations as a key day for the country progresses.
Colombia is experiencing a decisive day for its political future this Sunday, May 31. More than 41 million citizens are eligible to go to the polls to elect the next president and vice president of the Republic for the 2026-2030 term.
Since the early hours of the morning, polling stations have opened across the national territory under a broad security device coordinated by the electoral authorities, the Public Force, and control agencies, aiming to guarantee transparency and the normal development of the elections.
In Cartagena and the department of Bolívar, thousands of uniformed personnel were deployed to accompany the day, while authorities maintain constant monitoring of polling stations. Read: More than 4,400 marines guard the elections in the Colombian Caribbean
Follow the minute-by-minute updates with the main news, statements, participation reports, security measures, and most relevant events marking this election day in Colombia and Cartagena.
11:35 a.m. Iván Cepeda Voted in Bogotá
The candidate for the presidency of Colombia, Iván Cepeda, voted at the San Lucas de Kennedy school in southern Bogotá.
Cepeda is one of the favorites to become president.
"We call on our opponents to carry out today's day by strengthening the legitimacy of the electoral process and system," said Iván Cepeda.
11:20 a.m. Authorities Report 443 Complaints for Alleged Electoral Crimes
During the Unified Command Post (PMU), authorities reported that so far 443 complaints have been received related to possible irregularities in the election day.
[Embedded tweets: Registraduría Nacional del Estado Civil @Registraduria · 31 may. 2026: "With more than 41.4 million citizens eligible to vote, the National Registrar assured that the country has all the guarantees to develop a transparent, monitored election day with broad citizen participation. 'Everything is ready so that more than 41...'"]
[Another embedded tweet: "He highlighted that more than 850,000 polling station jurors, thousands of electoral witnesses, judges, notaries, registrars, control agencies, and members of the Public Force participate in the day. Additionally, he emphasized that 'electoral witnesses cover 98% of the polling stations...'"]
Of the total reports, 43 correspond to polling stations abroad, mainly in Spain and the United Kingdom. According to the preliminary balance, the most reported alleged crimes are voter coercion and political intervention.
11:10 a.m. Leonardo Huerta Voted and Shared a Message About His Political Trajectory
Leonardo Huerta, vice-presidential running mate of Claudia López, exercised his right to vote in Pereira and shared a reflection on his political journey and the electoral campaign.
"At 8:00 a.m. I voted and was the first to do so at the same table where I have voted since I was 18 in Pereira. For an instant, I saw the years pass. I remembered the paths traveled, the signatures collected, the early mornings, the doubts, and also every person who told me: 'Don't give up,'" the candidate wrote on his social media.
[Embedded tweet with images: Leonardo Huerta G. @LeonardoHuertaG · 3:48 p.m. 31 may. 2026: same text]
10:54 a.m. Attorney General Comments on Revelation of Vote by Officials
The Attorney General, Gregorio Eljach, addressed the controversy generated after President Gustavo Petro and Interior Minister Armando Benedetti publicly showed their vote during the election day.
The head of the Public Ministry assured that the secrecy of the vote constitutes a guarantee for citizens but noted that each person can freely decide whether to reveal their choice or not.
"The secrecy of the vote is a democratic guarantee so that the person is not persecuted; it is not an obligation, it is a guarantee. Therefore, each person is master of their secrecy," he stated.
10:40 a.m. Federico Gutiérrez Voted and Reported Normalcy in Medellín
The mayor of Medellín, Federico Gutiérrez, exercised his right to vote this Sunday at the Inem José Félix de Restrepo and gave a preliminary balance on the security situation in the capital of Antioquia.
"So far we have no reports of public order disturbances," said the local official, who highlighted the behavior of citizens during the early hours of the election day.
10:30 a.m. Government Delivers First Balance of the Election Day
The Minister of the Interior, Armando Benedetti, presented a first report on the development of the presidential elections and assured that authorities maintain permanent communication with the governorates to monitor any eventuality.
"What we want with the PMU is to be in contact with the 32 governorates to know if there are problems of public order or infrastructure. We have coordinated with state entities for a calm day of democracy and happiness," the official stated.
[Embedded tweet: MinInterior Colombia @MinInterior · 3:19 p.m. 31 may. 2026: "🔴 #AEstaHora the Minister of the Interior, @AABenedetti, leads the PMU Electoral press conference together with the National Registrar, Hernán Penagos; the Minister of Defense, Pedro Sánchez; the Attorney General, Gregorio Eljach, and other authorities. 🗳️🇨🇴"]
10:25 a.m. Álvaro Uribe Voted and Publicly Endorsed Paloma Valencia
Former President Álvaro Uribe exercised his right to vote in Rionegro, Antioquia, where he was accompanied by presidential candidate Paloma Valencia. Before voting, he highlighted the qualities of the candidate and criticized President Gustavo Petro.
"Paloma, your firmness is proven. Your life is transparent," the former president expressed during his media appearance.
10:00 a.m. Paloma Valencia Voted in Rionegro Accompanied by Álvaro Uribe
Presidential candidate Paloma Valencia went to the polls in Rionegro, Antioquia. Before voting, she thanked the support received during the campaign and highlighted her link with the Centro Democrático.
"My greatest honor has been to be the candidate of this party. I am a proud Uribista and I am grateful to the sectors that, without bureaucratic agreements, accompanied us," she stated.
9:40 a.m. Sergio Fajardo Voted in Medellín and Was Optimistic
Presidential candidate Sergio Fajardo exercised his right to vote in Medellín and said he was optimistic about the development of the election day. The candidate invited citizens to actively participate in the elections and strengthen democracy through voting.
9:31 a.m. Armando Benedetti Showed His Vote on Camera
Minister of the Interior Armando Benedetti exercised his right to vote during the election day and showed the marked ballot to the media. Following this, the Electoral Observation Mission (MOE) warned that such conduct could be analyzed for a possible risk of voter coercion.
[Embedded tweet: ÚltimaHoraCaracol @UltimaHoraCR · 2:04 p.m. 31 may. 2026: "#ElGranReto2026 | The Minister of the Interior, Armando Benedetti (@AABenedetti), revealed his vote after going to the polls this Sunday. On the marked ballot, his vote for the candidacy of Iván Cepeda was evident."]
9:13 a.m. José Manuel Restrepo Exercised His Right to Vote in Bogotá
José Manuel Restrepo, vice-presidential running mate of Abelardo de la Espriella, went to the polls this Sunday to participate in the presidential elections. The economist voted at the EAN University, located in northern Bogotá.
8:55 a.m. Abelardo de la Espriella Voted in Barranquilla Accompanied by Supporters
Presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella went to vote at the La Enseñanza school in Barranquilla, where he was received by supporters who accompanied him upon his arrival at the polling station.
After exercising his right to vote, the candidate said the day will be decisive for the country's future and reiterated his confidence in obtaining a favorable result. According to polls, he is among the candidates with the best chances of advancing to a possible second round.
8:45 a.m. Paloma Valencia States That Colombia Faces a Key Decision
Presidential candidate Paloma Valencia shared a message on her X account during the morning of this Sunday, in which she invited citizens to reflect on the direction the country will take after the elections.
"Today Colombia has two paths before it," the Centro Democrático candidate expressed, referring to the importance of the election day.
8:31 a.m. Sergio Fajardo Called on Citizens to Participate in the Elections
From the Inem school in Medellín, presidential candidate Sergio Fajardo spoke during the opening of the polls and highlighted the importance of citizen participation in the elections.
"The invitation is for all citizens to exercise their right to vote today on this very important day for the country," the candidate stated.
8:23 a.m. Iván Cepeda Invited Colombians to Vote for the Country's Future
Through his X account, presidential candidate Iván Cepeda sent a message to Colombians at the start of the election day. The Pacto Histórico candidate invited citizens to participate in the polls and said his proposal aims to advance poverty and inequality reduction, as well as strengthen strategic sectors of the national economy.
"I invite you to vote for the future, for the elimination of poverty and inequality, for the protection of our natural wealth, for a modern, productive, and diversified economy," he wrote.
[Embedded tweet: Iván Cepeda Castro @IvanCepedaCast · 1:10 p.m. 31 may. 2026: "MESSAGE TO THE NATION: 'I invite you to vote for the future, for the elimination of poverty and inequality, for the protection of our natural wealth, for a modern, productive, and diversified economy, for a Colombia that fully deploys its potential as a power...'"]
8:18 a.m. Petro Voted and Defended the Democratic Character of His Government
President Gustavo Petro exercised his right to vote at the Capitolio Nacional in Bogotá, after participating in the protocolary act of opening the presidential elections. After casting his vote, he stated that the suffrage represents a citizen mandate for whoever is elected as his successor.
The president highlighted that during his administration he did not promote changes that would allow presidential reelection and said the elections are a demonstration of the country's democratic functioning. He also called on citizens to remain attentive to the scrutiny process once the polls close.
8:03 a.m. Secretary of the Interior of Bolívar Sends Message of Calm to Voters
From the Bellas Artes polling station, the Secretary of the Interior of Bolívar, Javier Doria, assured that all guarantees exist for citizens to participate in the election day.
"The message from Governor Yamil Arana is a message of calm for the entire territory. Those 1.8 million Bolivarenses who are eligible to vote can do so. We have 638 polling stations and 5,535 tables. We have worked many months in coordination with the National Civil Registry, the Public Force, Navy, Police, Marine Infantry, and Army so that all citizens today can exercise their right to vote peacefully," the official expressed.
8:00 a.m. Polls Open in Cartagena for Presidential Elections
With the official opening of polling stations, thousands of Cartagena residents began to approach the polls to elect the next president and vice president of Colombia. The day will extend until 4:00 p.m.
7:30 a.m. Opening Act of the 2026 Presidential Elections
With the presence of electoral authorities, representatives of control agencies, and members of the Public Force, the opening act of the 2026 Presidential Elections was held. During the ceremony, the call for citizens to participate massively and peacefully in this democratic day was reiterated.
The authorities assured that all security and surveillance measures are in place to guarantee the normal development of the voting in Cartagena and the rest of the country.
7:23 a.m. Voters Already Outside Polling Stations
Minutes before the official opening of the polls, dozens of citizens were already waiting outside several polling stations in Cartagena to exercise their right to vote. At some points in the city, lines were observed from early hours, while authorities and officials finalized preparations for the start of the election day.
The Police and other control agencies maintain presence at the enabled stations to ensure the elections develop normally.
6:00 a.m. Authorities Finalize Details for the Opening of the Polls
Shortly before the official start of voting, authorities verify the installation of tables and the functioning of stations enabled in Cartagena. From the Unified Command Post (PMU), the day is being monitored to ensure everything is ready for the opening of the polls at 8:00 a.m.
5:00 a.m. More than 3,000 Uniformed Personnel Deployed at Different Points in Cartagena
Since the early hours of this Sunday, more than 3,000 men and women of the National Police were deployed in Cartagena, its metropolitan area, villages, insular zone, and other municipalities of Bolívar to guarantee security during the election day.
The uniformed personnel accompany the opening of polling stations and carry out surveillance, prevention, and control tasks to provide the necessary conditions for citizens to exercise their right to vote.
Additionally, the development of the elections will be permanently monitored from the Unified Command Post (PMU), where authorities and security agencies will track any eventuality in real time.
The Police also invited citizens to report any situation that may affect the transparency or normal development of the elections through lines 123 and 157.
