IPU Logo    INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION
>>> VERSION FRANÇAISE  
   HOME -> PARLINE -> COLOMBIA (Cámara de Representantes)
Print this pagePrint this page
PARLINE database new searchNew search
COLOMBIA
Cámara de Representantes (House of Representatives)
ELECTIONS IN 2006

Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Last elections module

A historical Archive of past election results for this chamber can be found on a separate page

Parliament name (generic / translated) Congreso / Congress
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Cámara de Representantes / House of Representatives
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Senado de la República / Senate
BACKGROUND
Dates of election / renewal (from/to) 12 March 2006
Purpose of elections Elections were held for all seats in the House of Representatives on the normal expiry of the members' term of office.
Parliamentary elections were held for all seats in the House of Representatives and the Senate on 12 March 2006 two months prior to the presidential elections.

A new party the Social Party of National Unity was formed to support President Alvaro Uribe who was able to run for a second term following a constitutional amendment. Its partners were the Conservative Party and Radical Change with Team Colombia and the Democratic Party also allied to the presidential camp. The opposition Liberal Party (PL) led by former president Cesar Gaviria had won the most seats in both chambers in the 2002 elections.

The main issues in the 2006 elections were how to deal with the rebel group the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). President Uribe had implemented tough policies against the FARC and other paramilitary groups while also introducing a law granting them certain concessions. The Justice and Peace Law passed by Congress in June 2005 protects the paramilitaries from extradition on drug charges in exchange for their admission of drug trafficking. While President Uribe's allies argued that the law would pacify the country the Liberal Party and the Alternative Democratic Pole strongly opposed it. The opposition parties also campaigned against the President's support for a market-friendly economy and close ties with the United States in particular through the CAFTA.

Violence was rife during the electoral campaign. The FARC conducted numerous attacks including reportedly some 40 assassinations and urged voters not to go to the polls. As at the previous elections turnout remained low at just above 40 per cent of the 26.5 million eligible voters.

The final results gave a resounding victory to the Social Party of National Unity and its allies. Together they secured 96 seats in the House of Representatives and 61 seats in the Senate while the main opposition parties respectively won 42 and 28 seats. Other seats went to independent candidates and small parties.

In the presidential elections held on 28 May 2006 President Uribe was re-elected with 62 per cent of the vote.

The newly-elected Congress held its first session on 20 July 2006. Mr. Alfredo Ape Cuello Baute of the Conservative Party was elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives while the Senate elected Ms. Dilian Francisca Toro of the Social Party of National Unity as its new Speaker.
STATISTICS
Voter turnout
Round no 112 March 2006
Number of registered electors
Voters
Blank or invalid ballot papers
Valid votes
26'595'171
10'767'726 (40.49%)
1'554'594
9'213'132
Notes
Distribution of votes
Round no 1
Political Group Candidates Votes %
Liberal Party (PL) 1'646'404 17.87
Conservative Party 1'363'656 14.80
Social Party of National Unity (Partido de la U) 1'453'353 15.77
Radical Change 932'207 10.12
Alternative Democratic Pole 708'664 7.69
Popular Civic Convergence (CPC) 397'903 4.32
Team Colombia 370'789 4.02
Liberal Opening (Apertura Liberal) 199'810 2.17
Regional Integration Movement 91'547 0.99
Huila 80'688 0.88
National Movement 175'012 1.90
Democratic Party 215'753 2.34
United People's Movement 129'977 1.41
For the Country of our Dreams 99'565 1.08
Progressive National Movement 8'146 0.09
Social Action Party 52'340 0.57
Renovation Movenent for Labour Action 33'308 0.36
Mira Movement 233'920 2.54
National Salvation Movement 28'975 0.31
Popular Participation Movement 18'449 0.20
Distribution of seats
Round no 1
Political Group Total
Liberal Party (PL) 36
Conservative Party 30
Social Party of National Unity (Partido de la U) 29
Radical Change 20
Alternative Democratic Pole 9
Popular Civic Convergence (CPC) 8
Team Colombia 7
Liberal Opening (Apertura Liberal) 5
Regional Integration Movement 4
Huila 2
National Movement 2
Democratic Party 2
United People's Movement 2
For the Country of our Dreams 1
Progressive National Movement 1
Social Action Party 1
Renovation Movenent for Labour Action 1
Mira Movement 1
National Salvation Movement 1
Popular Participation Movement 1
Distribution of seats according to sex
Men
Women
Percent of women
152
14
8.43%
Distribution of seats according to age
Distribution of seats according to profession
Comments
Sources:
- http://www.registraduria.gov.co/
- http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/cedaw37/responses/colombia.pdf (p22)

Copyright 1996-2010 Inter-Parliamentary Union