Dry law in the presidential elections of Colombia: schedules and restrictions

The proposals of the candidates at the gates of the closing of campaigns in Colombia 3:04

(CNN Spanish) --

This Sunday, May 29, Colombian voters are enabled to vote and elect the president and vice president of the country for the period 2022-2026 in a first round.

A common question among citizens before the elections is… will there be a dry law in Colombia during the Presidential Elections?

This is what the law says.

Yes, there is dry law.

Even when?

The sale and consumption of intoxicating beverages will be prohibited throughout the national territory from 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 28, until 6:00 a.m. on Monday, May 30, 2022, according to the provisions of article 206 of the Electoral Code.

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What happens if someone breaks the rule?

The infractions, according to decree number 318 of 2022 that issued the rules of public order for the legislative elections, "will be subject to corrective measures by the mayors and police inspectors and station commanders, in accordance with the provisions of the National Code of Security and Citizen Coexistence”.

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The Government of Colombia has not published a specific decree for the Presidential Elections of May 29.

If there is a dry law, is there a curfew?

Until the time of publication of this article, the Government of Colombia does not have an ordered curfew for the national territory.

However, governors or mayors "may decree a curfew in order to prevent possible disturbances of public order."

What is an intoxicating drink, according to the law?

This is how it is defined in the criteria to decree a dry law: "Product suitable for human consumption with a concentration of ethyl alcohol not less than 2.5 degrees breathalyzer, to which no therapeutic properties are indicated", as established in the decree 780 of 2016 that regulates the health and social protection sector.

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And why dry law?

According to the criteria to prohibit and restrict the sale and consumption of intoxicating beverages, it is a "preventive and temporary" measure aimed at "maintaining or restoring public order."

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