Peru awaits election results amid tight race and calls for recount

Peru remains in suspense as the slow processing of contested ballots from the presidential election runoff continues, with conservative candidate Keiko Fujimori holding a slim lead over leftist Roberto Sánchez. With 98.59% of the vote counted, Fujimori of Fuerza Popular has secured 50.051%, while Sánchez of Juntos por el Perú has 49.949%. Fujimori's support is strong in Lima, northern Peru, and among overseas voters, whereas Sánchez has performed better in the south and center of the country.

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This happens every time it rains, and it prevents us from having our folkloric group practices. We are in a lake because water falls everywhere.

The National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) completed the count of outstanding ballots on Friday night. The special electoral juries must now process approximately 1,300 contested and challenged ballots, a procedure expected to take several more days. As citizens await the final results and the proclamation of Peru's ninth president in over a decade, rumors of large-scale protests in Lima and southern Peru against a potential Fujimori victory are circulating.

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Now that we have administration and use, we are starting the process to be able to use public funds. That process has already advanced quite a bit.

On Saturday night, a peaceful demonstration took place in Lima, where hundreds of Sánchez supporters urged the National Elections Jury (JNE) to ensure full transparency and respect for the popular vote. In response, interim President José María Balcázar announced Sunday that he would postpone his official trip to Europe by two days to remain in Lima and "coordinate actions in favor of social peace and the country's stability."

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We have approved, by citizen consultation, about 500 thousand dollars.

Sánchez traveled to Cusco on Sunday, where he received over 78% of the vote. He reiterated his call for a vote recount, citing alleged irregularities in polling stations in Lima, northern regions, and abroad. He proposed that Fujimori join him in requesting a recount, a suggestion Fujimori rejected. "We reaffirm ourselves demanding transparency, respect for democracy and the vote of our people," Sánchez stated, adding that "no one should oppose this recount, so that the whole people know, even if it is by one vote, who will obtain the electoral victory."

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We must celebrate that we can state with certainty, with confidence, that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon. We have a lot of work to do, but we had a great victory tonight.