2026 Elections Second Round: Early Ballot Box Installations, Police Interventions, and More Across Regions

Peru's 2026 General Elections second round commenced on Sunday, June 7, marked by swift ballot box installations and notable police activity in multiple regions. The National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) confirmed that the first ballot boxes nationwide were operational by 5:35 a.m. in the San Martín region, with another opening simultaneously in Arequipa.

Across the country, election officials reported early setups. In Junín, the first ballot box was installed at 5:47 a.m. in Tarma province. Regions like Ica and Piura also saw early morning installations, while Pasco's first box opened at 6:21 a.m. Cities such as Huancayo, Chachapoyas, and La Libertad experienced similar early openings, with significant voter turnout observed from the start.

The ODPE of Tarma was the first to report 100% of its ballot boxes installed, followed by offices in Arequipa, Bongará, Tayacaja, and Cajamarca. Conversely, areas like Bagua, Requena, and parts of Lima were among the last to complete the setup process.

Beyond logistical preparations, the election day was punctuated by police interventions. In La Libertad, four individuals were detained for allegedly violating the "Ley Seca," a prohibition on alcohol sales and consumption during elections. In Lambayeque, a political representative was apprehended while riding a motorcycle with an active theft warrant. Police also intervened in Trujillo after a man was found carrying a firearm near a polling station, causing alarm among voters and staff.