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Peru Prosecutors Intervene Warehouse of Presidential Election Records Amid Fraud Claims

From El Nacional · (1d ago) Spanish Critical tone

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Peruvian prosecutors seized a warehouse containing presidential election records, including ballots and tally sheets, amid ongoing disputes over the vote count.
  • The intervention follows the discovery of discarded ballots and accusations of lost electoral material, deepening concerns about the integrity of the election process.
  • With 93.3% of votes counted, Keiko Fujimori leads the partial results, while Roberto Sánchez and Rafael López Aliaga are in a close contest for the second runoff spot.

The electoral process in Peru has been thrown into further turmoil as prosecutors raided a warehouse belonging to the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE), the body responsible for organizing the presidential elections. This action, aimed at securing tally sheets and ballots from the recent chaotic voting days, underscores the deep-seated concerns and accusations of irregularities that have plagued the election. As El Nacional reports, the discovery of discarded ballots in a dumpster last week only intensified suspicions about the handling of electoral material.

The Prosecutor's Office 'is carrying out diligence in the main warehouse' of the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) to determine compliance with its functions regarding the electoral material used.

— Public Ministry of PeruAnnouncing the intervention at the ONPE warehouse.

The slow pace of vote counting, largely due to numerous contested tally sheets requiring review by electoral tribunals, has kept the nation on edge. With nearly a million votes still to be tallied, the outcome remains uncertain, particularly for the second runoff position. The current partial results show right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori in a strong lead, while radical leftist Roberto Sánchez and ultraconservative Rafael López Aliaga are locked in a tight race, separated by a mere 13,000 votes.

Electoral fraud and demands for its absolute nullity.

— Rafael López AliagaDescribing his view of the election process.

Rafael López Aliaga has been particularly vocal, denouncing the election as "electoral fraud" and calling for its complete annulment. His offer of a reward for evidence of irregularities highlights the extreme polarization and distrust surrounding the vote. The intervention by the Public Ministry at the ONPE's main warehouse signals a serious attempt to ascertain the proper functioning of electoral processes, especially following reports of "serious irregularities" cited by the President of the National Jury of Elections. The ONPE chief, Piero Corvetto, along with three other officials, faces accusations of offenses against suffrage, reflecting the gravity of the situation Peru is navigating.

We are playing for the future of the country, respect for our votes, and the right not to stand idly by while others decide for everyone.

— Rafael López AliagaCalling supporters to a march amidst election disputes.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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