Following pre-election polls and corruption concerns, Colombia's March 8, 2026 legislative elections saw 50% turnout, with Pacto Histórico leading the Senate with 25 seats. Five outsiders from social media and digital activism secured spots, marking a new wave in national politics. The day also resulted in nearly three million null votes across consultations and races.
Building on the campaign dynamics highlighted in earlier coverage, the March 8, 2026 legislative elections renewed Colombia's Congress, electing 103 senators and 183 representatives from over 41 million eligible voters. Turnout reached 50%, with more than 20.6 million votes for the Senate (52.9%) and 20.4 million for the Chamber (49.6%), based on 98% of tables scrutinized. Interparty consultations had only 20%, with 8.26 million votes.
Pacto Histórico secured 25 Senate seats (22.87% of votes, 4.2 million), gaining five more than in 2022. Key names include Carolina Corcho, Pedro Flórez, and Deicy Alejandra Omaña Ortiz, known as Amaranta Hank. Centro Democrático followed with 17 seats (15.66%, 2.9 million), adding four. Partido Liberal got 13 (11.70%, 2.2 million), Alianza por Colombia 11 (9.80%, 1.8 million), and Conservador 11 (9.59%, 1.84 million).
In the Chamber, Centro Democrático led with 13.13% (1.917 million votes), followed by Liberal (11.43%, 1.67 million) and Conservador (10.62%, 1.55 million). Established figures like Angélica Lozano (Alianza Verde) and Jorge Enrique Robledo (Mira) failed to secure seats, highlighting challenges for veterans.
Five outsiders broke through: Laura Daniela Beltrán Palomares (“Lalis”), Pacto Histórico influencer; Amaranta Hank, sex workers' rights activist; Walter Alfonso Rodríguez Chaparro (“Me dicen Wally”), lawyer YouTuber; Luis Carlos Rúa Sánchez (“Elefante Blanco”), anti-corruption engineer from Alianza por Colombia; and Geisson Vargas Valdeón (“Bitter Yeison”), Liberal social critic. In Valle del Cauca, Pacto Histórico dominated with three senators and six representatives.
Nearly three million votes were null or unmarked, accounting for 6-7% in each category, possibly due to confusion or protest.
