Bogotá, March 10 (RHC) -- Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos expressed his gratitude for the efforts of the country's security forces in safeguarding Sunday's parliamentary elections.

"We welcome all the security forces that ensured the safest elections in recent history," the Colombian president posted on his official Twitter account.

Results of the vote were expected in the coming hours, with a total of 268 congressional representatives due to be elected.

Compared with the elections four years ago, vote-related violence was reduced by 90 percent, Interior Minister Aurelio Iragorri said, adding that some explosive devices were found and defused by security forces in the provinces of Caqueta, Arauca, and Antioquia.

Preliminary results released by Colombia's National Civil Registry suggested the Democratic Center candidates were leading the elections, followed by the 'U' Party, the Conservative Party, the Liberal Party and the Radical Change Party.