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In Colombia, the Departmental Assemblies (Asambleas Departamentales), occasionally called Departmental Dumas (Dumas Departamentales), are public institutions of a political and administrative nature that enjoy administrative autonomy and their own budget. They are made up of no fewer than 11 and no more than 31 deputies, elected in each department by direct and universal vote for a term of four years,Constituent National Assembly & 6 July 1991, Article 299 with the possibility of immediate re-election. They issue ordinances and resolutions that are binding within their territorial jurisdiction. Their equivalent in cities are the municipal councils, and in corregimientos, comunas or localities they are the local administrative boards. In the broadest sense, their equivalent at the national level is the Congress, which is the only legislative body of the Colombian State because it is a unitary state.
To be elected deputy, a person must be a citizen in good standing, must not have been sentenced to a custodial penalty (except for political or unintentional offenses), and must have resided in the respective electoral district during the year immediately preceding the date of the election.
Bogotá, being the Capital District, has no representation in any departmental assembly, since, enjoying autonomy in managing its own interests, that role is assumed by the Council of Bogotá. In addition, the non-municipalized areas (including San Andrés Island), being administered directly by the departmental governor, are served by the assembly, which exercises the functions of a municipal council for this territorial entity.