On May 31 President Gustavo Petro said on social media he refuses to recognize
preliminary presidential vote counts, saying the rapid count has no legal force
and is not an official public result. The National Civil Registry's early tally,
with 95.12% of ballots counted, showed no candidate secured a majority and a
runoff is required. The preliminary count put far-right independent candidate
Avelardo de la Espriella on 43.62% and ruling left coalition candidate Iván
Cepeda on 41.13%.
