Peru Election Jury Rejects Fraud Claims Amid Tight Race

Peru's National Elections Jury (JNE) has firmly denied any allegations of fraud in the country's presidential runoff election held on Sunday. JNE President Roberto Burneo addressed the press after polls closed, asserting that the electoral process concluded with "success" and proceeded with "all normality and regularity." He urged political parties and their supporters to maintain calm and act with democratic responsibility while official results are gradually released.

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We categorically deny any narrative of fraud in the second round of presidential elections held this Sunday.

Burneo specifically refuted "any narrative of fraud," emphasizing that reported incidents are being "adequately channeled." Earlier, he had cited fifteen incidents nationwide. One notable reported issue involved an accusation against a party representative and three poll workers in Lima for allegedly marking approximately 90 ballots improperly. Despite these claims, the JNE president reiterated the institution's commitment to its constitutional mandate, stating that "today Peruvians have demonstrated our commitment to democracy."

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The reported incidents are being adequately channeled.

Exit polls released after voting concluded indicate a technical tie between the two leading candidates, right-wing Keiko Fujimori and left-wing Roberto Sánchez. Ipsos reported Fujimori with 50.7% of valid votes to Sánchez's 49.3%, while Datum showed Fujimori at 50.53% and Sánchez at 49.47%. Both polls show a margin of victory between 1.06% and 1.4%, which, given their 3% margin of error, makes it too close to definitively declare a winner at this stage. The JNE's firm stance against fraud claims sets the stage for the official vote count to determine Peru's next president.

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Today Peruvians have demonstrated our commitment to democracy.