Polling stations are now closed for Colombia’s second and deciding round of the presidential elections, with significantly fewer citizens turning up to cast their votes than had been predicted.
According to Colombia’s National Registry, some 15 million people were expected to vote, choosing between candidates Antanas Mockus and Juan Manuel Santos. However, reports claim that far fewer Colombians made it to the polling booths than predicted.
At 2PM the voter turnout showed an 11.3% decrease from the numbers during the first round of elections, with approximately 9.03 million people having cast their votes.
The low voter turnout has been attributed in part to outbreaks of guerrilla violence across the country and bad weather.
In the north-western department of Norte de Santander, an alleged ELN ambush left seven police officers dead, and three soldiers were reported killed in combat with the FARC’s 53rd Front in the Meta department.
It was also reported that in Norte de Santander guerrillas burnt ballot boxes that were in transit to the town of San Calixto, and destroyed a communications tower.
Heavy rain in various parts of the country also prevented many citizens from casting their votes.
Vote counting has now begun and the National Registry expects to release the results of the election by 5.30PM Sunday.
