Iván Cepeda, a senator and presidential candidate of the Pacto Histórico, voted in the second-round presidential election on Sunday, June 23, 2026.
His participation and public call for calm highlight the high stakes of the runoff, as candidates seek to ensure a peaceful transition of power in a volatile political climate.
Cepeda arrived at his polling station around 11 a.m. [1]. He cast his ballot at Colegio San Lucas, located in the Kennedy locality of Bogotá [1], [2]. Following the act, the senator said to reporters the electoral process was important and order must be maintained throughout the day.
During his remarks, Cepeda emphasized the need for a transparent count. "Nosotros reconoceremos el resultado, pero también vamos a ejercer una muy clara observación escrupulosa y meticulosa del escrutinio," Cepeda said [3].
The senator's presence at the polls was accompanied by a plea for national stability. He urged citizens to remain calm to protect the integrity of the vote. "Pido tranquilidad y serenidad para que 'triunfe la democracia'," Cepeda said [2].
Throughout the morning, the candidate said the democratic process must prevail over conflict. "Que triunfe la democracia," Cepeda said [1].
Cepeda has pledged to recognize the final results of the election, provided that the process remains transparent. He indicated that his team would monitor the vote counting process closely to ensure accuracy and fairness, a move intended to prevent potential disputes over the legitimacy of the winner.
“"Que triunfe la democracia."”
The emphasis on 'scrupulous and meticulous' observation of the count suggests a lack of total trust in the automatic tallying systems or a preemptive strategy to challenge irregularities. By publicly pledging to recognize the results while simultaneously calling for intense monitoring, Cepeda is attempting to balance democratic legitimacy with a safeguard against potential electoral fraud.
