Colombian parliamentary election, 1978

Parliamentary elections were held in Colombia on 26 February 1978 to elect the Senate and Chamber of Representatives.^[1] The result was a victory for the Liberal Party, which won 111 of the 199 Chamber seats and 62 of the 112 Senate seats.

Results

Senate

Party	Votes	%	Seats	+/–
Liberal Party	2,297,534	55.2	62	–4
Conservative Party	1,650,429	40.0	49	+12
National Opposition Union	126,553	3.0	1	–1
People's Unity Front	49,058	1.2	0	New
Others	36,272	0.9	0	–
Invalid/blank votes	9,988	–	–	–
Total	4,169,834	100	112	0
Registered voters/turnout	12,519,719	33.3	–	–
Source: Nohlen

Chamber of Representatives

Party	Votes	%	Seats	+/–
Liberal Party	2,302,230	55.2	111	–2
Conservative Party	1,645,496	39.4	83	+17
National Opposition Union	128,516	3.0	4	–1
People's Unity Front	50,008	1.2	1	New
Others	44,825	1.1	0	–
Invalid/blank votes	9,046	–	–	–
Total	4,180,121	100	199	0
Registered voters/turnout	12,519,719	33.4	–	–
Source: Nohlen

Within Liberal ranks, lists supporting presidential pre-candidate Julio César Turbay Ayala soundly defeated lists supporting his rival for the party's nomination, former President Carlos Lleras Restrepo. Unofficial results showed about 1,441,000 votes for pro-Turbay Liberal lists and 673,000 votes for pro-Lleras Liberals.^[2] This victory confirmed Turbay's candidacy as the official Liberal candidate for the June presidential election, in which he defeated Conservative candidate Belisario Betancur.

References

1. Nohlen, D (2005) Elections in the Americas: A data handbook, Volume II, p305 ISBN 978-0-19-928358-3
2. "ELECTION FORECASTS: PRELIMINARY PROJECTIONS FOR THE JUNE 4 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION". WikiLeaks. 24 May 1978. WikiLeaks cable: 1978BOGOTA04965_d.