LIMA.– The dispute for the presidency of Peru entered its decisive phase in the middle of a extremely tight scrutiny and with new tensions between the candidates Keiko Fujimoriwho maintains the lead and Roberto Sanchezwhile the review of observed minutes that could take days or even weeks.
With more than 98.4% of tables countedthe candidate of Popular Force maintains a slight advantage about the candidate from Together for Peru, for just 9125 votes on a roll of more than 18 million votes, in what is already shaping up to be one of the closest elections in the country’s recent history.
This Saturday, Fujimori rejected his rival’s request to carry out a total recount of votes and maintained that this mechanism is only contemplated for observed minutes and under the decision of the electoral authorities. “Democracy is based on rules, laws and the Constitution,” said Fujimori in a request that the rules be respected. The candidate stressed that it is the Special Electoral Juries (JEE), under the orbit of the National Election Jury (JNE), that determine the cases in which it is appropriate to review votes.
The leader of Fuerza Popular also sought reduce political tension by being open to dialogue with other leaders, including Sánchez, although he expressed concern about the mobilizations called both to denounce alleged irregularities and to defend the electoral result. Although he recognized the constitutional right to protest, he asked “to take the reasons with caution.”
During Friday, the leftist candidate had requested a total recount of the votes. “I propose that we jointly request an exhaustive review, a recount of the entire process, especially where there are alleged indications that transparency has not occurred as appropriate,” Sánchez said at a press conference.
Fujimori’s vice presidential candidate, Luis Galarreta rejected the proposal and indicated that his party will wait with caution for the final vote count. “The counting of votes is not because someone thinks of it. We are going to respect what the electoral norm says. Challenges, annulments and recounts have a procedure that must be followed,” Galarreta declared to the press.
What is the process like and when will there be results?
The ongoing process is focused on review of some 1,479 electoral records observedwhich represent nearly 400,000 votes. These minutes present inconsistencies, material errors or challenges made by party representatives, which requires their analysis by the JEE.
In this scenario of extreme parity, electoral specialists warn that Each resolution can have a significant impact on the final resultgiven the small margin between the candidates. The concentration of observed minutes in certain regions, especially in Lime and in the abroadsuggests that after proper review, they could be favorable for the Fuerza Popular candidate.
In the event that the error in the contested record is rectifiablethe record correct and it incorporates into the final calculation. While if there are major doubtsis summoned public hearings —transmitted online—where They review the votes in the presence of representatives of both forces. In these cases, the jury can order a timely recount of the votes.
In that context, The dispute continues over the annulment requests. The team of Sanchez had requested invalidate some 2,400 minutesalleging irregular voting patterns and problems in the transfer of electoral material from abroad. However, two of these resources have already been rejected by the JNE for formal reasons, while awaiting new presentations and appeals.
From the fujimorism were also promoted annulment requestsalthough on a smaller scale, focused on minutes of regions where they reported restrictions on the participation of their observers.
The stage remains open while the resolutions of the electoral system advance. The JNE has deadlines of up to three business days to rule on each appeal, which could extend the definition of the final result.
According to the official schedule, the proclamation of the president-elect is scheduled for mid-Julyalthough a possible increase in the difference between candidates could anticipate the outcome.
Agencies AFP and Reuters
