What benefits and rights do you have for voting in the Colombian elections?

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(CNN Spanish) --

Unlike other countries in the region such as Argentina or Brazil where voting is mandatory, in Colombia its electoral system does not force citizens to participate;

instead, there are benefits to voting.

According to the Colombian Constitution, "voting is a citizen's right and duty."

In an ordinary election, in accordance with the National Registry, all Colombians who are of legal age and who reside within the country or abroad, as well as foreigners residing in Colombia, may vote.

On May 29, the first round of elections will be held in Colombia in which more than 39 million voters are summoned to vote for the next president and vice president of the country for the period 2022-2026.

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And although it is not mandatory, the State grants voters a series of benefits that range from paid half-day off work to discounts when processing your passport.

We tell you what are the benefits you have once you have exercised your right to vote.

Benefit for voting: half day of paid work rest

One of the advantages that employees in Colombia have when they go to the polls is that they are granted the right to a half-day of paid work rest, according to Law 403 of 1997. This benefit for voting is compensation for the time used by the employer when going to vote and you can enjoy it in the month following the day of the vote once you have agreed with your boss.

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  ELECTIONS IN COLOMBIA

Preference when entering public or private institutions of higher education

If you participated in the elections immediately prior to entering a public or private institution of higher education, you will have the right to be preferred over those who have not done so in the event of equal scores.

Reductions in the time of provision of compulsory military service

For high school soldiers or high school police assistants who have voted in the elections immediately prior to recruitment into military service, they will be entitled to a reduction of one month in the time of rendering this service.

In the case of peasant soldiers or regular soldiers, the discount will be two months, according to Law 403 of 1997.

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Preference to be elected to a career job in the State

Those who participate in the immediately preceding vote and who are on the State's list of eligible for a career job, will have the right to be preferred in case of equality of points against those who have not done so unjustifiably, according to Law 403 of 1997.

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Preference in the award of educational scholarships, rural properties and housing subsidies

People who participate in the elections immediately prior to a contest for the award of educational scholarships, rural properties and housing subsidies offered by the State, will have the right to be preferred over those who did not, in case of equality of conditions " strictly established" in the open competition, according to Law 403 of 1997.

Student tuition discount

• According to Law 403 of 1994, any student of an official institution of higher education will be entitled to a 10% discount on the cost of enrollment, if they prove they have voted in the last elections held prior to the start of the respective academic periods.

• For undergraduate and graduate students who prove they have voted in the last elections, unofficial universities may establish a discount on the value of tuition.

  The Government will grant these institutions special recognition and incentives.

10% in the passport issuance process

If you voted, in the following four years you can obtain a 10% reduction in the process of issuing your passport, in accordance with Law 403 of 1994. Take into account that this benefit for voting is valid only once.

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Discounts on various procedures

If you exercise your right to vote, you will be entitled to the following discounts during the time that elapses until the following elections:

• 10% of the value to be paid for the process of initial issuance and renewal of the judicial record.

• 10% of the value to be paid for the concept of initial processing and issuance of duplicates of the military book.

• 10% of the value to pay for duplicates of the citizenship card from the second duplicate onwards.

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