Colombia goes to the polls this Sunday (19) for the second round of the 2022 presidential election, which will face ex-leftist guerrilla Gustavo Petro and far-right populist Rodolfo Hernández.
The two candidates are contesting the unpopular Iván Duque’s successor and his right to rule the country until 2026.
Petro, 62, the former mayor of Bogota, finished the first round ahead of Hernández, the former mayor of Bucaramanga, 77 (28.17% to 40.34%), but polls this Sunday suggest a technical tie between the candidates.
Surveys are open between 08:00 and 16:00 (local time) and the final result must be announced on the same day. Hernández won the support of the ruling parties after the first round, the same parties he criticized for their alliances and accused of corruption.
The populist also refused to participate in the televised debates throughout the campaign. The Petro represents the best chance for the left to come to power for the first time in Colombia, but is viewed with suspicion and even fear by the majority of voters due to its guerrilla past.
The elections will be guarded by 320,000 police and military personnel, and officials say they are prepared for any turmoil after the results are announced. The election will also be accompanied by 410 observers from international organizations, including the European Union.
“We can be sure that the outcome of the elections will always be respected by the entire nation, the President, the military forces and all institutions,” Duque said.
source: Noticias
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