Overview
- Polls published in late May show Keiko Fujimori with about 38–40% and Roberto Sánchez with about 35–36% in the June 7 runoff, leaving the margin within poll error.
- Roughly 27% of voters told pollsters they plan to cast blank or invalid ballots or not vote, creating major uncertainty over who will win and whether the victor will have a clear mandate.
- Hundreds of protesters marched in Lima and smaller demonstrations took place in Arequipa and Huancayo opposing Fujimori, with relatives of victims of human rights abuses under former president Alberto Fujimori at the front of the marches.
- The first round on April 12 featured 35 candidates and suffered logistical problems that delayed voting for many, prompting the elections board to set up outside experts and leaving legal challenges and disputes unresolved.
- The outcome could reshape Peru’s fragile politics and public trust in elections because a narrow victory paired with high blank votes would heighten street mobilization and questions about legitimacy when the new president takes office on July 28.