Keiko Fujimori is currently leading the Peruvian presidential election as results arrive, positioning her for a second-round runoff despite widespread reports of voting shortages and allegations of fraud.
With 40% of the votes counted, the daughter of former autocrat Alberto Fujimori holds a lead over ultra-conservative candidate Rafael López Aliaga.
Fujimori described the early results as a positive signal for the country. "The enemy is the left," she said during a short speech.
This marks the fourth time a Fujimori has reached a runoff in Peru. The family previously lost second-round battles in 2011, 2016, and 2021.
The second spot in the runoff remains undecided. Candidates such as social democrat Jorge Nieto and businessman Ricardo Belmont are still competing for the remaining position against López Aliaga.
Logistics and fraud claims
The election faced significant logistical hurdles in a country where voting is mandatory. Approximately 63,000 citizens were unable to vote because polling stations ran out of ballots and urns.
Voters expressed outrage at the electoral authorities. "It is very frustrating that these things are happening here in Peru at this point in the 21st century," said 81-year-old Martha Tumba, who protested at an electoral site.
López Aliaga, often referred to as "Porky," has already denounced the irregularities. "This is a very serious electoral fraud, and we are going to call for a citizen protest," he said earlier in the day.
The situation escalated when anti-corruption police and prosecutors raided the electoral headquarters and a materials distribution company. The raids aimed to gather evidence regarding incidents reported during the voting process.
In Lima, long lines formed under intense heat and humidity. Many voters waited for hours as candidates joined the condemnation of the election's mismanagement.
The next president will inherit a nation facing a surge in crime and profound political instability. Peru has cycled through eight different presidents in just ten years.
"We are living in a country of drug trafficking," said Elena Flores, a 50-year-old merchant from central Lima. She noted that criminal activity has surpassed the state's ability to control it.
