Bogota did not register a single act of violence during Sunday’s congressional elections, according to the district’s government secretary, which is unusual for a city where five to six murders take place on the average Sunday.
There were more than 12,000 police officers overseeing voting procedures, said government secretary Andres Restrepo, and another 8,000 providing security for political candidates.
Six people were however detained in Bogota on Sunday, on charges such as forged identity documents and attempting to destroy election material.
Colombian Defense Minister Gabriel Silva said Sunday that despite a few incidents, which were quickly dealt with, these congressional elections have been Colombia’s calmest in 25 years.
Colombia enforces several nation-wide laws intended to provide greater security on election weekends. This includes the “ley seca,” a weekend-long ban on selling alcohol, and restrictions on carrying firearms until 6 AM Wednesday.