BOGOTA (BBC) -- Colombia's second-biggest rebel group, the ELN, has declared a cease-fire ahead of this month's legislative elections.

The group's commander, Antonio Garcia, said voters should look towards those candidates who are committed to the peace process.

The ELN is currently in talks with the government to see if common ground for a lasting peace deal can be found.

Correspondents say the cease-fire is another step toward a positive result in those talks.

The ELN (National Liberation Army) has been fighting a war against the Colombian state since the 1960s.

The other main left-wing rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), says it has no plans to lay down its arms during the election period. ---------Peace agenda

Garcia made the announcement in Havana, where a round of peace talks with the Colombian government ended earlier this week.

The sides did not reach agreement but promised to meet again in Cuba in April.

Colombians are voting 199 deputies and 114 senators on 12 March.

They will also elect a new head of state on 28 May, with President Alvaro Uribe seeking a second term. Uribe launched his reelection effort on Wednesday - he was the first presidential candidate to register his name officially.

The Colombian leader has said he needs four more years in office to implement his tough policies against armed groups and drug-traffickers.