Peru: Presidential election too close to call

With over 90% of the votes counted in Peru's runoff presidential election, right-wing conservative candidate Keiko Fujimori and left-wing politician Roberto Sanchez are in a neck-and-neck race.

The results of Peru's presidential runoff were still up in the air on Monday morning, even though more than 90% of the votes had been counted.

Preliminary results show that right-wing conservative candidate Keiko Fujimori received approximately 50.5% of the vote, while left-wing politician Roberto Sanchez was on around 49.5%.

However, it was expected that Fujimori's lead would narrow. Votes from the capital, Lima, Fujimori's stronghold, are usually counted first. Meanwhile, Sanchez could gain ground in the final stretch as ballots from rural areas are tallied.

Exit polls and quick counts also suggested a tight finish. Late on Sunday, pollster Ipsos published an early tally showing Sanchez leading the race with 50.3%, compared to Fujimori's 49.7%. According to Ipsos representatives, this is a statistical tie.

What did the candidates say?

The candidates have both acknowledged that it is too soon to call the election results.

"As of now, there is no winner. There will be long days ahead," said Fujimori late Sunday.

Sanchez told jubilant supporters that the race was a "dead heat" and that anything could still happen.

Fujimori hoped to capitalize on the wave of support for right-wing candidates who won recent elections in Bolivia, Chile, and Ecuador by campaigning on a tough-on-crime platform.

She draws on the legacy of her late father, Alberto Fujimori, who strengthened the economy and suppressed a Maoist uprising. However, Fujimori was later convicted of corruption and crimes against humanity.

Sanchez is a former minister from the government of imprisoned President Pedro Castillo. Just two days before the runoff, a case against him regarding illegal party financing six years ago was reopened.

A nation divided

The current situation is reminiscent of the 2021 runoff election, when the announcement of the results was delayed for weeks due to challenges to the election's validity.

Many Peruvian voters had hoped that this election would put an end to the years of political chaos that have resulted in a series of presidents being jailed, deposed, and impeached.

Peru remains deeply divided. The country is split between the populous coast and the more rural, indigenous south.

Once the final vote count is complete, the Supreme Electoral Court has until mid-July to officially declare a winner. The new president is scheduled to take office on July 28.

Edited by: Natalie Muller

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