Peru Holds Presidential Run-Off Election Between Fujimori and Sanchez

Peru to Hold Run-Off Presidential Election on June 7

Peru will hold its presidential run-off election on Sunday, June 7, following a tumultuous first round of voting that took place nearly two months ago. The initial round saw long lines, delayed results, and accusations of fraud, prompting widespread protests and confusion.

In the run-off, right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori, a former first lady, will face off against Congress member Roberto Sanchez, a former government minister. Fujimori has been a finalist in the last four presidential races, campaigning on a platform to bring order to the country. Sanchez’s path to the run-off was marked by controversy, including allegations of falsifying campaign finance disclosures.

The election will take place across 63 countries, with 2,506 polling stations available. A total of 411,077 Peruvians voted from abroad in the first round, out of a total of more than 20 million votes cast. The run-off is mandatory for all eligible voters, regardless of their location.

In the initial round, problems emerged at multiple voting sites, including delayed ballot delivery and late opening times. This resulted in long lines that prevented approximately 52,000 people from casting their ballots. To address the issue, election authorities granted an extension for voting in affected areas.

The final results of the first round were released more than a month after the initial vote count, with Keiko Fujimori leading the pack with 17 percent of the vote. Roberto Sanchez came in second with 12 percent of the vote, while Rafael Lopez Aliaga took third place with 11.9 percent of the vote.

The run-off election will determine Peru’s next president, following a decade of presidential changes, including nine different presidents who have governed the country over the past decade.

Source: Al Jazeera