This Monday, voting began abroad for Colombia’s legislative elections and interparty consultations. Starting today and running through Sunday, March 8, more than 1 million citizens registered outside the country will be able to cast their ballots at consulates, embassies, and designated polling sites across different continents to elect members of Congress and take part in selecting presidential pre-candidates ahead of the first round on May 31.
The day, organized by the National Civil Registry, marks the formal start of a key week for Colombian democracy beyond its borders. In total, 1,250,846 Colombians are eligible to vote in 67 countries, a figure that reflects the size of the diaspora and its growing weight in national political life, even though turnout abroad — which, in addition to the Senate vote, elects a direct representative of the international constituency to the House — is usually very low.
Voting begins for Colombia’s legislative elections abroad
The electoral roll abroad includes Colombians of legal age who duly registered their ID cards at the respective consulates. Of the total eligible voters, 683,287 are women, and 567,559 are men, distributed across the Americas, Europe, Asia, Oceania, and Africa. All of them may exercise their right to vote throughout this week, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., according to each country’s time zone.
Voters will receive the corresponding ballots for the Senate and the House of Representatives. In the case of the Senate, they may vote in the National Constituency or in the Special Indigenous Constituency. For the House, the International Constituency — which directly represents Colombians abroad — will be available, as well as the special Indigenous and Afro-descendant constituencies, as applicable.
In addition to the legislative elections, those who wish may participate in the interparty consultations to choose presidential pre-candidates.
To do so, they must expressly request from the polling juror the ballot corresponding to the consultation of their preference. This option turns the day into a dual arena of political decision-making: On the one hand, the composition of the legislative branch for the 2026–2030 term and, on the other, the early definition of leadership ahead of the presidential elections.
Polling stations and tables opened
To guarantee participation, 253 polling stations were set up, distributed across diplomatic and consular offices. In total, 1,387 voting tables will operate between March 2 and March 7, while on Sunday, March 8, 1,945 tables will be opened, when a higher turnout of voters is expected.
The logistics involve coordination with local authorities in each country, the preparation of spaces, and the secure transport of electoral materials. In most cases, polling stations operate in consulates and embassies, although in cities with a high concentration of Colombians, additional spaces have been enabled to facilitate access.
Electoral authorities have insisted that citizens must verify their exact polling place in advance through the official online channels provided. This inquiry allows them to confirm the address of the assigned location and avoid setbacks on Election Day.
To exercise the right to vote, it is essential to present the Colombian citizenship ID card, either in its physical yellow version with holograms or in the authorized digital format. No other documents are accepted, such as a passport, military service card, or proof of documents in process. This requirement seeks to guarantee full voter identification and the transparency of the process.
The electoral authorities also reminded voters that the ballot is secret and that poll workers are required to provide guidance on the procedure, but may not influence the voter’s decision. As in the national territory, rules prohibiting political propaganda at polling stations and the restrictions established for Election Day are in effect.
In some specific cases, international security conditions have required logistical adjustments. In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that certain polling stations could modify their operations depending on the recommendations of local authorities, prioritizing the safety of citizens and diplomatic personnel.
With the opening of ballot boxes outside Colombia, a week of key decisions begins, culminating on Sunday, March 8, with the general voting day. From capitals around the world, thousands of citizens will turn out to vote to maintain an active bond with the country and help decide its institutional course. Colombian democracy, once again, extends beyond its borders.