Pakistan, June 1 -- Colombia's presidential election is set to move to a runoff after no candidate secured an outright majority in the first round, with conservative outsider Aberaldo de la Espriella emerging narrowly ahead of progressive rival Ivan Cepeda.

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According to preliminary results released by electoral authorities, de la Espriella received 44 percent of the vote, while Cepeda secured 41 percent, with nearly all ballots counted. The second-round vote is expected to take place later this month.

The closely contested election has highlighted deep political divisions in Colombia over security, peace negotiations and the future direction of the...