Sánchez Proposes Full Vote Review to Fujimori in Tight Peruvian Election

Leftist presidential candidate Roberto Sánchez has proposed a comprehensive review of all votes from Peru's tight second-round election to his right-wing rival, Keiko Fujimori. The slow vote count, now at 98.27% completion, shows Fujimori with a narrow advantage of 50.005% against Sánchez's 49.995%.

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I propose that together we request an exhaustive review, a recount of the entire process, especially where there are alleged indications that transparency has not occurred as it should have.

Fujimori, 51, leads by just over 1,600 votes out of more than 18 million cast, with her lead bolstered by votes from the United States and Japan. Sánchez, 57, urged a joint request for an exhaustive recount, particularly in areas where transparency might be questioned. "I propose that together we request an exhaustive review, a recount of the entire process, especially where there are alleged indications that transparency has not occurred as it should have," Sánchez stated at a press conference.

Luis Galarreta, Fujimori's vice presidential candidate, rejected the proposal, emphasizing that his party will await the final count with prudence. "A vote recount is not because someone just thinks of it. We will respect what electoral norms say. Challenges, nullifications, and recounts have a procedure that must be followed," Galarreta told reporters. For Sánchez's proposal to proceed, Fujimori would need to accept it, and it would then be presented to electoral authorities.

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A vote recount is not because someone just thinks of it. We will respect what electoral norms say. Challenges, nullifications, and recounts have a procedure that must be followed.

Sixty special electoral juries (JEE) must initially rule on the validity of thousands of votes challenged by party delegates. The JEE Lima Oeste 3 has begun reviewing these challenges in a public hearing, while the National Electoral Processes Office (ONPE) continues the final vote count. Some votes have been contested due to offensive messages written about the candidates. Keiko Fujimori acknowledged the ongoing process, stating, "We are awaiting the hearings that are taking place in the special juries; this requires patience but generates confidence in the candidates. We will wait for the final result."

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We are awaiting the hearings that are taking place in the special juries; this requires patience but generates confidence in the candidates. We will wait for the final result.