San Andrés elections proceed normally with 53,872 eligible voters choosing new governor

Elections for the governor of San Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina are underway with all eight polling stations functioning normally. A special security detail is deployed across the islands to ensure a smooth process. The polls opened at 8 a.m. and will close at 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 5.

A total of 53,872 citizens, comprising 27,964 women and 25,908 men, are eligible to cast their ballots. The National Civil Status Registry has set up eight voting centers, seven in San Andrés and one in Providencia, with 141 voting tables. San Andrés hosts the majority of tables with 128, while Providencia has 13. Biometric authentication is available at the Instituto Bolivariano polling station.

Six candidates are vying for the governorship, aiming to complete the current constitutional term. The contenders include Escorcio Antonio Christopher Pomare (Partido Comunes), Carolina Patricia Puas Murillo (Cambio Radical), Carlos Arturo Fontalvo Suárez (Alianza Social Independiente, ASI), Bernardo Benito Bent Williams (Partido Demócrata Colombiano), Rómulo Areiza Taylor (Dignidad y Compromiso), and Girley Natacha Ordóñez Bowie (supported by a coalition of Liberal, Nuevo Liberalismo, Conservador, and Centro Democrático parties).

Over 1,020 election officials have been trained and assigned to manage the voting tables, with 926 in San Andrés and 94 in Providencia. A Unified Command Post, led by National Civil Status Registrar Hernán Penagos and involving various authorities, is monitoring the election. This special election was called after the results from the 2023 elections were annulled.