LIMA, Peru – Peru’s presidential runoff election remained too close to call late Sunday as electoral authorities continued to tally votes in a race that has tightened into a statistical dead heat between conservative Keiko Fujimori and leftist congressman Roberto Sánchez.
Early quick count results from pollster Transparencia-IPSOS showed Sánchez with a slim 50.3% of the vote compared to Fujimori’s 49.7%. However, an IPSOS exit poll released shortly after polls closed had indicated Fujimori leading with 50.7% over Sánchez’s 49.3%. Subsequent projections, however, showed the race rapidly narrowing, leaving the final outcome uncertain for hours after the polls closed.
Both campaigns urged their supporters to remain vigilant as the ballots were tallied. Representatives of Fujimori’s Popular Force party called on poll watchers to “defend the vote.” Meanwhile, Sánchez, backed by the Together for Peru party, issued a statement acknowledging the electoral authorities’ responsibility to safeguard every vote and committing to respecting the official results.
The presidential election on June 7 follows a tumultuous period in Peruvian politics, marked by frequent changes in leadership, corruption scandals, and public unrest. This runoff pits Keiko Fujimori, daughter of the controversial former president Alberto Fujimori, against Roberto Sánchez, an ally of former president Pedro Castillo. The outcome will determine Peru’s next head of state, who will be sworn in on July 28 to replace interim President José María Balcázar.
The first round of the election on April 12-13 featured a record 35 candidates, reflecting a fragmented political landscape. Neither Fujimori nor Sánchez secured a majority, necessitating the runoff. Fujimori’s Popular Force party emerged as the largest single party in the newly elected Senate, securing 22 seats, while Sánchez’s Juntos por el Perú party obtained 14 seats. The Chamber of Deputies also saw significant representation from these parties, indicating a divided legislature.
Concerns about surging crime have dominated the campaign, with many voters expressing deep skepticism about the political establishment after a decade that has seen eight presidents. Fujimori, in her fourth bid for the presidency, has leaned into her father’s legacy, drawing parallels between his fight against insurgents and the country’s current struggle with organized crime. Sánchez, meanwhile, has positioned himself as an heir to Pedro Castillo’s leftist movement, garnering support in rural areas.
The close nature of the race mirrors previous Peruvian presidential runoffs, which have often been decided by narrow margins. Markets have shown apprehension regarding a potential Sánchez victory, which would diverge from a recent regional trend of rightward political shifts in Latin America.
The election authorities have stated that voting proceeded normally, despite initial concerns and some disruptions during the first round. Accusations of fraud from some candidates following the first round were dismissed by electoral observers from international missions, including those from the European Union and the Organization of American States.
The winner of the runoff will face the challenge of governing a nation grappling with significant socio-economic divides and a fragmented Congress, which has removed three presidents in the last five years. The complex political environment and deep voter disillusionment have shaped this election, with the final result hanging in the balance as the vote count progresses.
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