Peru presidential election heads to nail-biting vote-by-vote recount

Peru is once again poised for a nail-biting presidential election, mirroring the close contests of 2016 and 2021. Projections indicate a technical tie between leftist Roberto Sánchez and rightist Keiko Fujimori, with the final outcome likely hinging on a razor-thin margin of just a few thousand votes.

This electoral pattern, where Fujimori has narrowly lost in previous runoffs, continues to define Peruvian politics. Projections from Ipsos and Datum International show Sánchez with a slight edge, but within the margin of error, underscoring the uncertainty that will likely persist for days, if not weeks, as official results are tallied.

Sánchez declared victory from Lima's Plaza San Martín, framing the moment as a "recovery of democracy" and a "defense of the vote." He rallied supporters to demand respect for the electoral outcome, aligning himself with the imprisoned former president Pedro Castillo, whom he has pledged to free.

Fujimori, meanwhile, adopted a more cautious stance, acknowledging the "technical tie" but emphasizing that no winner has been declared. She stated that "long days" lie ahead until the result is known. Unlike her 2021 campaign, where she alleged fraud without solid proof, Fujimori indicated an acceptance of the final results this time, though her party's delegates are meticulously reviewing every ballot to ensure the "popular will" is respected.