The right-wing candidate, Abelardo de la Espriella, leads the provisional count of the first round of the presidential elections held this Sunday in Colombia, obtaining 43.56% of the votes. He is thus ahead of the candidate of the Historical Pact --of leftist leaning--, Iván Cepeda, who has garnered 42.14% of the votes with 22.57% of the scrutiny made public.
According to the figures released by the Registry Office, De la Espriella has accumulated 1,754,726 ballots, while Cepeda, backed by the outgoing president, Gustavo Petro, has reached 1,697,427 supports. If these percentages are consolidated at the end of the count, both contenders will advance to the second round of the presidential elections, scheduled for June 21.
Colombian electoral bodies have indicated that a solid result is expected by 6:00 PM (1:00 AM on Monday in peninsular Spain).
The electoral day has proceeded with polling stations open from 8:00 AM (3:00 PM in peninsular Spain) until 4:00 PM (11:00 PM in peninsular Spain). De la Espriella and Cepeda were the main favorites in this electoral event.