Colombia is deploying at least 150,000 police officers and troops to protect voters casting ballots in Sunday's parliamentary elections. 

Government officials say the security officials will be stationed at 62,000 voting booths scattered throughout Colombia. 

The enormous security presence comes amid stepped up violence since peace talks broke down last month between the government of Colombian President Andres Pastrana and the leftist Revolutionary armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC. 

The leftists group is urging Colombians to boycott the vote, saying candidates will not legislate in favor of the people. It says it will consider those voting in the election "military targets." In the past few weeks, FARC has blown up several electrical towers and bridges, making it difficult for voters to get to the polls. 

But President Pastrana says Colombians must vote to protest violence involving right-wing paramilitary forces and the rebels, who are holding hostage at least four candidates. 

In Sunday's election, Colombia's 24 million registered voters are eligible to select more than 260 congressional representatives. But opinion polls show Colombians are largely apathetic about the Congress, which has been plagued by corruption scandals. A report by the government prosecutor's office shows 100 of the candidates have criminal records.

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