As Peru’s elections authority continues to count ballots, Keiko Fujimori has bested a crowded field of 35 candidates, securing a first-place finish in the presidential race. She will advance to a runoff on June 7, and will likely face either Roberto Sánchez or Rafael López Aliaga, who are locked in a tight battle for second place.
Sánchez has a slim lead over López Aliaga and is now the favorite to advance. The vote on Sunday April 12 was beset by delays and logistical failures that led officials to extend voting to the following day for about 60,000 people at 15 polling locations in Lima and two abroad. López Aliaga has alleged widespread fraud and called for the vote to be annulled. The head of the EU elections observer mission reported on April 14 that its team had found no evidence of such fraud.
Votes are also being counted for all seats in both chambers of Congress.
AQ asked analysts to share their reactions and perspectives.
On Sunday, Peru’s voters cast their ballots for president, Congress, the Senate, and the Andean Parliament. With 37 political parties competing, most feared that the vote could be dispersed and that those elected would secure only a small share of it.
