Lime/The controversy unleashed in Peru by logistical failures during the elections on April 12 led to the resignation of the organizer of the elections, Piero Corvetto, while the struggle between the main candidates worsens amid requests for complementary elections and complaints that an attempt is being made to promote a narrative of fraud.
Corvetto resigned this Tuesday from the leadership of the National Office of Electoral Processes (Onpe) amid criticism for the delays in the transfer and distribution of electoral material, which caused the vote to be extended in an unprecedented manner for one more day in Lima, and an investigation by the Prosecutor’s Office was opened for alleged collusion.
The resignation was quickly accepted by the National Board of Justice (JNJ), the control body of the Peruvian Judiciary that also appoints the head of the Onpe, after which this body reported that its general manager, Bernardo Pachas, will assume the interim leadership until the end of the electoral process.
The organization also assured that “the work of the ongoing electoral process, consisting of the processing and accounting of minutes, has not been interrupted nor will it be interrupted.”
The organization also assured that “the work of the ongoing electoral process – consisting of the processing and accounting of records – has not been and will not be interrupted, as well as the preparations for a second presidential election,” which must be held on June 7.
After the confirmation of Corvetto’s departure, the right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori, who will compete for the Presidency in the second round after taking first place in the elections, assured that it is “good news for Peru.”
“For me the most important thing is to know the truth, what happened in the first round process,” he said.
Fujimori also rejected that the Together for Peru (JP) party, led by leftist candidate Roberto Sánchez, who is in the fight with López Aliaga to accompany Fujimori in the second round, has indicated that “a narrative” of fraud is being promoted to control the electoral system.
“I reject this type of assertion by Together for Peru, it is up to all political parties to wait for what the National Election Jury resolves, I am very cautiously waiting for the final pronouncement,” he said.
Shortly before, Together for Peru stated that Fujimori’s parties, Fuerza Popular, and López Aliaga, Renovación Popular, seek to install “a narrative” of fraud to promote “a boycott” of the result of the general elections.
The leftist party considered the JNJ’s decision to accept Corvetto’s resignation “illegal” and announced the formation of a “political front in defense of democracy and equal voting,” as well as the call for a “national, peaceful and vigilant mobilization in defense of the popular will.”
Shortly before, Sánchez stated in a press conference that López Aliaga is a bad loser for not accepting his defeat and denouncing fraud against him without solid evidence.
Shortly before, Sánchez stated in a press conference that López Aliaga is a bad loser for not accepting his defeat and denouncing fraud against him without solid evidence.
The candidate also stated that “there is no legal basis” for López Aliaga’s request to call complementary elections in the voting centers in Lima that opened late due to the delay in the arrival of electoral material.
With 94.1% of the minutes counted, Fujimori receives 17% of the valid votes, while the second position will be defined between Sánchez, who has 12%, and López Aliaga, who reaches 11.9%, so far.
