Peru: Sanchez contests the results and denounces fraud while Fujimori maintains a very narrow lead

Political tensions remain high in Peru after the second round of the presidential election, the counting of which continues amid widespread disputes. Leftist candidate Roberto Sanchez has announced that he will not recognize the results, alleging irregularities, while his conservative rival Keiko Fujimori maintains a very narrow lead.

According to the latest partial results, Keiko Fujimori leads Roberto Sanchez with 50,11% of the vote to 49,89%, a minimal margin that keeps the country awaiting an official outcome. Electoral authorities continue to examine disputed ballots, delaying the announcement of the final result in this particularly close election.

At a press conference, Roberto Sanchez claimed that fraud was underway in favor of his opponent, without, however, presenting any concrete evidence. He accused the ONPE, the Peruvian electoral body, as well as Fujimori's campaign, of irregularities, particularly in the voting process among Peruvians living abroad, which he alleged favored the conservative candidate.

The left-wing candidate also requested a suspension of the vote count and a review of the results from 119 consular offices, a measure that could affect approximately 300,000 votes cast abroad. This request was, however, rejected by the electoral authorities, who are continuing the verification process.

Meanwhile, observer missions from the Organization of American States (OAS) and the European Union indicated that the second round of voting had generally proceeded under normal conditions. These assessments temper the accusations of fraud made by the Sanchez camp.

The dynamics of the election evolved as the count progressed. Roberto Sanchez initially took the lead in the rural vote count, before Keiko Fujimori gradually narrowed the gap thanks to results coming from abroad.

The daughter of former president Alberto Fujimori, Keiko Fujimori is running for president for the fourth time. Amidst strong political polarization, this very close election could prolong uncertainty and fuel political tensions in Peru in the coming days.