Peru holds election to choose its eighth president

Peru to Hold Presidential Elections with 35 Candidates on the Ballot

Polls have opened in Peru’s presidential and legislative elections, allowing voters to choose from 35 candidates vying for the country’s ninth leader in a decade. The elections come after eight presidents have served since 2018, marked by high turnover rates, impeachments, and corruption scandals.

On Sunday, Peruvians will cast their ballots at polling stations across the country, which will open at 7am (12:00 GMT) and close at 5pm (22:00 GMT). Preliminary results are expected shortly after. The candidates include a comedian, a media baron, a political dynasty heiress, and a hard-line ex-mayor.

According to recent polls, no candidate has reached the 50 percent threshold needed to win the election outright. As a result, a June 7 run-off appears likely. Some voters have expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of politics in Peru, with one fruit seller stating she was undecided on who to vote for due to feeling that “Peru is a mess.”

A clothing merchant also shared her concerns, saying she would not vote for anyone due to disappointment with those in power. Another candidate, conservative Keiko Fujimori, has gained popularity despite being polarizing due to her family legacy. Her father, former President Alberto Fujimori, was convicted of human rights abuses and corruption before his death in 2024.

On the other end of the political spectrum, Ricardo Belmont, a former mayor of Lima, is polling second. Popular comedian Carlos Alvarez follows behind him, campaigning on a platform focused on crime prevention.

Source: Al Jazeera