What happens to Peruvian voting ballots after elections before they are destroyed?

In Peru, the fate of voting ballots after an election is a carefully managed process designed to ensure transparency and accountability. Following the vote count, all used ballots are preserved by the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE).

These ballots are stored in secure, conditioned warehouses managed by Decentralized Offices of Electoral Processes (ODPE). This measure allows for potential recounts if the relevant Electoral Judge (JEE) orders it. The ballots are transported in sealed envelopes with police escort to prevent tampering.

The JEE can order a recount under specific circumstances, such as material errors in the records or the absence of any copies of the election records. After a recount, the ballots are returned to the ODPE warehouse in another sealed envelope.

Ultimately, once the election results are officially proclaimed, all preserved ballots are destroyed. The ONPE ensures this destruction is witnessed by representatives from the Public Ministry, the National Jury of Elections (JNE), and legal representatives of the political organizations involved, with the location, date, and time publicly announced.