Colombia’s presidential election has proceeded to a runoff after no candidate won an outright majority in the first round of voting, according to preliminary results released Sunday by electoral authorities.
With 96 percent of ballots counted, the country’s National Civil Registry reported that Abelardo de la Espriella, who serves as the presidential nominee for the conservative National Salvation Movement, led the race with 43.62 percent of the vote.
Ivan Cepeda, a senator running under the banner of the ruling Pacto Historico coalition, placed second with 41.13 percent.
Preparation for June showdown
