Colombia Council of State upholds two congressional elections

The Colombian Council of State has upheld the electoral validity of two representatives elected to the Chamber of Representatives for the 2026-2030 term, dismissing challenges regarding legal incompatibilities.

In the first case, the court denied a request to nullify the election of Elizabeth Sabina Molina Campo as representative for the department of Magdalena. The challenge, filed by Jorge Eduardo Durán Galindo, alleged that Molina violated the regime of incompatibilities due to contracts she signed with the municipality of Ciénaga in 2024 following her term as a deputy. The Council ruled that the specific circumstances did not constitute a legal ground to invalidate her election.

In the second case, the Council upheld the election of Lucy Mireya Bravo Obando as representative for Huila. Petitioners argued that her husband’s position at the Comptroller General of the Republic constituted an exercise of civil authority in the department, which would trigger a constitutional disqualification. However, the Council determined that his duties were primarily focused on direction, coordination, and institutional control, rather than exercising general command over citizens in Huila, thus maintaining her seat.