Pressure Rises Over Delay In Peru Presidential Vote

Pressure is increasing on election authorities in Peru after delays and allegations of irregularities disrupted the counting of votes in the recent presidential election. The slow process has created uncertainty about who will face conservative candidate Keiko Fujimori in the upcoming run-off election scheduled for June.

The election was held earlier this week, but logistical problems, including delays in ballot distribution, forced officials to extend voting in some areas, especially in the capital Lima. As of the latest count, no clear second-place candidate has been confirmed, increasing political tension across the country.

According to the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE), left-wing candidate Roberto Sanchez and conservative politician Rafael Lopez Aliaga are in a very close race for second place. With over 93 percent of votes counted, the margin between them is extremely narrow, making the final result uncertain.

Meanwhile, Keiko Fujimori remains in the lead with around 17 percent of the vote, positioning her strongly for the second round. However, the final results may take up to two weeks to be confirmed, according to election monitoring groups.

The delay has been partly caused by about 5 percent of ballots that require additional review due to errors or missing information. These ballots will be examined by a special electoral jury before being added to the official count, further slowing the process.

Criticism has intensified against ONPE chief Piero Corvetto. Business leaders and politicians have called for his resignation, arguing that the credibility of the election process has been damaged. Some have suggested that a new official should oversee the run-off vote to restore public trust.

Allegations of fraud have also emerged, particularly from supporters of Rafael Lopez Aliaga, although Corvetto has denied any wrongdoing. Adding to the controversy, Peru’s top electoral court has filed a criminal complaint against him over alleged violations related to voting procedures.

Authorities are also investigating an incident where election materials from several polling stations were found abandoned on a road in Lima. Officials stated that the votes from those stations had already been recorded, but the discovery has raised further concerns.

Despite the growing tensions, observers from the European Union said they found no evidence of fraud in the election process. However, the ongoing delays and political pressure continue to create uncertainty as Peru prepares for its crucial presidential run-off.