ATLANTA (June 23, 2026) — The Carter Center recognized Colombian electoral authorities for conducting a well-organized and peaceful second-round presidential election on June 21 in a preliminary statement released today.
“Colombia has seen record voter turnout of 63.6% with historic citizen participation of poll workers, party representative, national observers, and security forces throughout the country,” said Jennie Lincoln, Director of the Center’s Electoral Expert Mission.
Preliminary results were announced within an hour of polls closing. These results indicated that Abelardo de la Espriella won with 49.66% of votes, compared to 48.70% for Iván Cepeda. The final results will be announced following the tabulation process, which includes the opportunity for electoral challenges.
The Center also commended the Registraduría for efficiently and transparently organizing the runoff election in a tight time frame. Voting took place throughout the country and abroad despite security challenges in some areas of Colombia.
The runoff took place in a highly polarized political climate, with mutual accusations between the candidates and other controversies overshadowing policy discussions. The election was also marked by allegations of vote buying, voter coercion, and pressure by illegal armed groups, which contributed to public mistrust and political polarization.
The Carter Center’s Election Expert Mission focused on key aspects of the electoral process, including the legal framework, work of election management bodies, political party and candidate registration, electoral justice, use of election technology, and voter education efforts. The Center will issue a final report with recommendations following the end of the election process.
Background
The Carter Center deployed an 11-member election expert mission to Bogotá to observe the May 31, 2026 presidential election and released a preliminary statement on June 2, 2026. The mission included experts from Spain, Germany, Denmark, Brazil and the U.S. who were supported by Colombian nationals and Carter Center staff.
The Center conducted a preelection assessment visit in November 2025 following an invitation by the electoral authorities in July 2025. The Carter Center conducts its work in accordance with Colombian law and the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and the Code of Conduct for International Election Observers, adopted at the United Nations in 2005.
The Carter Center has conducted 128 full and limited election observation missions in 40 countries and three Native American nations.
Contact: media@cartercenter.org
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A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, The Carter Center has helped to improve life for people in over 90 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; and improving mental health care. The Carter Center was founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide.