More Than 41 Million Colombians Eligible to Vote in Congressional Elections and Presidential Primary Contests
Colombians are heading to the polls today, March 8, to elect members of Congress for the 2026-2030 term and participate in primary contests that will help determine presidential candidates. The elections are being closely watched as a key indicator of the country’s political direction amid ongoing social and economic challenges.
Voters are choosing 102 senators and 183 representatives from a field of more than 3,200 candidates. Citizens can cast ballots in one of three inter-party consultations – the Gran Consulta, Frente por la Vida, or Consulta de las Soluciones – to select presidential hopefuls for the May elections.
Polling Hours and Voter Identification
According to the Registraduría Nacional del Estado Civil, 41,287,084 Colombians are eligible to vote. Polling stations are open from 8:00 a.m. To 4:00 p.m. Voters must present a valid identification card to exercise their right to vote.
“The only valid document for exercising the right to vote in Colombia and abroad is the national identification card, whether yellow with holograms or digital, in its physical version or on a mobile device,” the Registraduría stated. “Passports, military cards, and other documents are not valid for voting.”
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María Claudia Tarazona remembered her husband, Miguel Uribe Turbay, during the congressional elections: “Love of my life”
In addition to the candidate’s wife, aspiring Senator Juan Carlos Pinzón and the Uribe Turbay family’s lawyer, Víctor Mosquera, also remembered the political leader.
Miguel Uribe Turbay, a Senator and presidential hopeful, was tragically killed by a 14-year-old assailant on June 7, 2025, in Bogotá. His absence was felt throughout the day as his wife, María Claudia Tarazona, remembered him, stating, “Love of my life.” Presidential candidate Juan Carlos Pinzón and Víctor Mosquera, the Uribe Turbay family’s lawyer, also paid tribute to the slain politician.
Luis Gilberto Murillo Casts His Vote
Presidential candidate Luis Gilberto Murillo, representing the “Luis Gilberto Soy Yo” movement, traveled from Chicago to his home department of Chocó to participate in the elections. Upon arriving at the polls in Quibdó, the candidate delivered a strong message to the nation:
“Colombia transforms from the ballot box. Congress is the first step. There’s no point in having good ideas and initiatives from the Presidency if you don’t have a legislature worthy of a nation demanding its lawmakers turn what it needs into law.”
Esteban González Pons, head of the European Union’s Election Observation Mission, offered a positive assessment in the early hours of the voting day.
“All the materials were available, and transparency is absolute. In fact, I desire to highlight, according to reports from our observers, the strong presence of witnesses at all polling stations. There are 1 million registered witnesses, and at least 70% are already present at the tables,” he stated.
Iván Cepeda, the presidential candidate for the Historic Pact coalition, cast his vote at a polling station in Kennedy, Bogotá.
“We are going to win. We are an essentially democratic force and, as such, we have run a transparent, austere campaign, and we are now taking that strength to the polls today,” he affirmed.
Gustavo Petro revealed alleged vote buying by a candidate for the House in the Caribbean “Mafia”
The individual, Laureano Acuña, known as “el gato volador,” is seeking election to Congress in the Department of Atlántico, with the backing of the U Party.
Just hours before the start of congressional and presidential primary voting on March 8, 2026, President Gustavo Petro publicly denounced alleged vote buying in a video posted online, calling for immediate action from Attorney General Luz Adriana Camargo.
The Foreign Ministry clarified the controversy over the updating of addresses at polling stations abroad for the elections on March 8
The National Civil Registry Office reported adjustments to locations in 16 countries, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that the corrections were previously reported by the consular network.
With less than 24 hours until the elections in Colombia, an update to the addresses of 58 polling stations abroad sparked controversy among citizens and the media.
