Peruvian citizens will have to wait until at least the end of Monday to learn the outcome of the presidential election conducted on Sunday, following significant disruptions at various polling stations caused by shortages of ballot papers and malfunctioning voting machines.
In an unusual decision, Peru’s electoral authority, ONPE, announced on Sunday evening that it would prolong the voting period by an additional day. This extension aims to accommodate tens of thousands of voters both domestically and internationally who were unable to participate in the election.
Officials indicated that approximately 52,000 individuals would be permitted to cast their votes on Monday after voting was canceled at 15 polling stations in southern Lima due to technical difficulties.
The foreign ministry of Peru confirmed that several thousand voters residing in U.S. cities such as Paterson, New Jersey, and Orlando, Florida, would also have the opportunity to vote on Monday.
These technical issues arose amidst unfounded allegations of electoral fraud and demands from candidates for the voting process to be extended into the evening. The race includes two former mayors from Lima, the daughter of an authoritarian leader, and a comedian, all vying to become Peru’s ninth president in a decade characterized by significant political turmoil and corruption scandals.
Initial exit polls, partial results, and independent assessments indicate that Keiko Fujimori, a four-time presidential candidate, is currently leading. However, she falls short of the 50% majority required for an outright win, leaving uncertainty about her opponent in a potential second round.
Voting is obligatory for Peruvians aged 18 to 70, with penalties for non-participation reaching up to $32.
While 15 polling stations were closed on Sunday, several others experienced delays, resulting in late openings.
At a polling site in Lima’s Miraflores district, frustrated voters voiced their displeasure, chanting, “We want to vote!” One voter, Rosa María Yaksetig, reported that voting did not commence until around 11:30 AM due to issues with printer ink and significant disorganization, prompting protests from the crowd.
ONPE stated that no official results from the first round would be released until the extended voting period concludes on Monday.
