Peru election: Overseas vote transfer concludes Wednesday

Peru's presidential election is on the cusp of a final decision as the transfer of votes cast abroad concludes this Wednesday. The National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) is set to receive the last of the 2,506 ballots from 73 countries, marking the end of the vote count for the runoff election between leftist Roberto Sánchez and rightist Keiko Fujimori.

As of Monday, the ONPE had processed 93.9% of all votes, with the overseas ballots and those from remote regions like the Amazonian Loreto still pending. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that the electoral process abroad proceeded smoothly, thanks to coordination among 119 consular offices and 219 polling stations. Some 490 polling stations, particularly in Europe and the United States, were consolidated on Sunday, adhering to regulations.

Currently, Sánchez holds a slim lead with 50.01% of the vote, while Fujimori trails at 49.9%. The remaining 4,123 ballots, including those from overseas and Loreto, could still shift the outcome. A copy of each electoral tally sheet was made visible at consular offices for interested Peruvian citizens, in compliance with the Organic Law of Elections.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized the normalcy and fluidity of the voting process abroad, highlighting the coordinated efforts that ensured its success. The final results are expected to be confirmed once all pending ballots are tallied.