Sánchez Celebrates Preliminary Results, Claims Triumphant Milestone Against Rival Fujimori

Leftist presidential candidate Roberto Sánchez celebrated preliminary election results Sunday night, declaring a "technical tie" with his right-wing rival Keiko Fujimori and proclaiming the day a "historic milestone" for Peru.

Appearing before jubilant supporters in Plaza San Martín, Sánchez announced, "Today, Peru of all bloodlines has won." He rallied his base with a call to end a "mafia pact" and restore democracy under new human rights parameters. "This majority will stop contempt as a political form and discrimination as a political issue," he stated, concluding his speech to chants of "Democracy yes, dictatorship no."

Sánchez emphasized the broad coalition supporting his candidacy, thanking "our Quechua, Aymara, Amazonian peoples, the Peru of small farmers, transporters, teachers, merchants, the poorest... who have decided to reclaim the government for the people."

Conversely, Keiko Fujimori urged caution, advising patience until the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) releases official numbers. "It would be irresponsible to define the result based on a sample like the quick count," she said, noting that only 1,000 of 90,000 national ballots were used in the Ipsos poll. Fujimori stated she would recognize the final tally and called on Sánchez to do the same.

As ONPE's official count progressed, Fujimori maintained a lead. With 70.5% of ballots tallied, she held 52.6% of the vote compared to Sánchez's 47.3%. The election day itself proceeded without major incidents, a contrast to the chaotic first round.