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Peru’s electoral authorities have announced a comprehensive audit of the first round of the presidential election, following mounting concerns over irregularities that have cast a shadow over the voting process.
The decision comes three weeks after polls were held, with officials now seeking to restore public confidence in the outcome.
According to the National Jury of Elections, the audit will involve a “full and exhaustive IT audit of the first-round electoral process.” The review will be conducted by a panel of independent experts drawn from both Peru and the international community. Authorities say the exercise is designed to reinforce “transparency, integrity and reliability of the electoral results.”
The race remains highly competitive. With more than 97 per cent of ballots counted, left-wing candidate Roberto Sanchez has secured 12 per cent of the vote, narrowly ahead of ultraconservative contender Rafael Lopez Aliaga, who stands at 11.9 per cent. The two are separated by roughly 27,500 votes. Both candidates, however, remain behind right-wing frontrunner Keiko Fujimori, who leads with 17.12 per cent. Only the top two candidates will advance to the June 7 runoff.
The integrity of the process has been questioned after thousands of tally sheets were flagged for review. Election day itself was marked by logistical disruptions, particularly in Lima, where delays prevented tens of thousands of voters from casting their ballots until the following day.
The situation was further complicated during the counting process, when boxes of ballots were reportedly discovered in a dumpster in the capital.
Aliaga has called for a fresh vote in Lima, a demand electoral officials have declined.
In Peru, where voting is compulsory, more than 27 million citizens were expected to participate in choosing the country’s next leadership. The audit now stands as a critical step in addressing doubts and ensuring the credibility of the electoral process.
