PERU PRESIDENTIAL VOTE TOO CLOSE TO CALL AFTER RUNOFF

Peru's presidential election remains undecided following Sunday's runoff vote, with an early tally by pollster Ipsos placing left-wing candidate Roberto Sánchez on 50.3% against right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori on 49.7%. Official results, with more than 91% of votes counted, confirm the race is extremely tight. Both candidates addressed supporters after the count began, with Sánchez claiming the early figures showed a meaningful lead and Fujimori calling the result a "dead heat". Fujimori said it would be "irresponsible" to determine a winner based on early samples and called for every tally sheet to be counted.

Ipsos data showed Fujimori carrying Lima, the coast, and the broader urban vote, while Sánchez dominated rural areas and the mountainous Andes regions. Remaining uncounted ballots are expected to come largely from rural areas, where Sánchez performed strongly. Concerns over crime and political instability dominated the campaign. Sánchez, who served as a minister in the government of former president Pedro Castillo, stated during the campaign that he would seek a presidential pardon for Castillo, who was jailed after attempting to illegally disband Congress and govern by decree.

This is Fujimori's fourth presidential run, making her one of the most prominent figures in Peruvian politics. The 2021 election also featured a contest between Fujimori and Castillo, with that result taking weeks to confirm. Recounts are expected to be required before a winner can be declared in the current race. The final declaration could take several weeks to conclude.