Perceptions of fraud are growing. With 98.6% of ballots counted, the race remains too close to call between Keiko Fujimori (50.051%) and Roberto Sánchez (49.949%), with Fujimori holding a lead of more than 18,000 votes. The ONPE reported that 92,766 ballots have been processed, both domestically and abroad.
The vote is split. So far, Roberto Sánchez leads nationally with 50.170% of the vote (having narrowed the gap), while Keiko Fujimori has a higher share of the vote from abroad (63.324%).
Pending Process
However, the tally sheets that were delayed in their transmission—from the Amazon region (Alto Amazonas, Atalaya, Coronel Portillo, Maynas, Requena) and the highlands region (Huanta and La Convención)—are still being processed.
Also pending is the request by Fuerza Popular to annul 7,000 rural votes from Puno; meanwhile, Juntos por el Perú requested the annulment of 2,400 polling stations within the national territory and abroad; however, this was declared inadmissible by the Special Electoral Jury (JEE) because they failed to pay the electoral fee, which exceeded 2 million soles. Despite the progress in the vote count, there are still 1,475 tally sheets flagged for inconsistencies in their completion that will be evaluated by the Special Electoral Juries (JEE). Their resolution will allow for the finalization of the national election results.
Perception of Fraud
While waiting, the public has repeatedly voiced concerns about possible “electoral fraud,” as they do not see their votes reflected in the vote count. This was expressed last Saturday in Plaza San Martín: “We are here to defend the votes cast by the people in their ballot boxes, from Barranca, Pativilca, Paramonga, Supe Puerto, and Supe Centro,” “The 16 regions are ready to fight because our vote cannot be bought, sisters and brothers” (Huancavelica department), “Barrio Chino (Ica) has been besieged; it feels like a country at war; we are alerting the world to what is happening in the country,” the citizens stated.
The main causes of the perception of fraud stem from the political crisis the country is experiencing, such as the widespread corruption at all levels—including political parties—distrust due to the loss of independence of the branches of government, Lima’s centralism toward provinces that feel neglected, and the repression of demonstrations, among other reasons.
