Peru concludes presidential election vote; vote count begins

Peru's presidential runoff election concluded Sunday after a day of voting, with the nation now awaiting the results of a closely watched contest. The election saw right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori face off against left-wing candidate Roberto Sánchez in a race that has historically been decided by narrow margins.

Voting centers across the country closed at 5:00 p.m. local time, marking the end of a polling day that proceeded largely without major incidents. Unlike the first round, which saw significant delays in opening polling stations in the capital, Lima, this runoff experienced a smoother voting process. However, isolated incidents did occur, including the arrest of two individuals for allegedly marking ballots and an attempt to seize a polling station in the southern region of Puno.

The vote count is expected to be a lengthy process, potentially extending for days or even weeks, a pattern seen in Peru's previous presidential elections. Both Fujimori and Sánchez were awaiting results in Lima. Fujimori was at a hotel in the district where she resides and votes, while Sánchez was outside Barbadillo prison, where former President Pedro Castillo is held. The outcome of this election will determine Peru's president for the 2026-2031 term, marking the country's ninth president in a decade marked by political instability and presidential ousters.