Leftist candidate Roberto Sánchez has moved into second place in Peru’s presidential election, overtaking ultra-right candidate Rafael López Aliaga as vote counting reaches nearly 90% completion, according to CNN Chile.
The shift comes as rural votes, which favor Sánchez, are being processed, narrowing the gap between him and the leading candidate, Keiko Fujimori.
As of the latest tallies, Sánchez holds approximately 11.97% of the valid votes, according to Cooperativa, leaving him just 6,000 votes behind López Aliaga.
López Aliaga, representing Renovación Popular, currently sits in third place with 11.94%, according to Cooperativa.
Keiko Fujimori, the leader of Fuerza Popular, maintains a significant lead in first place with roughly 16.94% of the votes, reported by Cooperativa.
Fraud allegations and civil unrest
Rafael López Aliaga has refused to recognize the election results, alleging widespread fraud without providing evidence, according to CNN Chile.
The ultra-right candidate pointed to delays in the delivery of electoral materials in Lima as a reason for a potential loss of half a million votes, CNN Chile reported.
López Aliaga gathered hundreds of supporters in front of the National Jury of Elections (JNE) to announce his refusal to accept the count, even if he fails to reach the second round.
During his address, López Aliaga called on his followers to engage in a "civil insurgency" and to "set the prairie on fire," CNN Chile reported.
Other candidates have condemned the rhetoric. Both Jorge Nieto of the Partido del Buen Gobierno and Roberto Sánchez have called for the respect of the votes cast during the Sunday and Monday elections, according to CNN Chile.
The path to the second round
The second round of the election is scheduled for June 7, where the runner-up will face Fujimori, according to La Tercera.
Sánchez’s rise is attributed to his performance in rural areas, where he campaigned on the "Ruta Castillista" platform, promising to free imprisoned former president Pedro Castillo, according to CNN Chile and Cooperativa.
In contrast, López Aliaga’s support has been concentrated in Lima and other major cities, which are typically the first areas to be tallied, according to CNN Chile.
Fujimori, facing her fourth consecutive runoff, expressed optimism regarding her chances, telling the Peruvian outlet Panorama, "I have not been president yet. I hope to have that opportunity."
She also claimed that opposition to her movement is fading, stating, "Anti-Fujimorismo has been decreasing," according to La Tercera.
While Fujimori leads, projections from the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) suggest her party, Fuerza Popular, could secure more than 20 seats in the new Senate, according to La Tercera.
Data from Datum Internacional suggests the race remains highly competitive, noting a margin of error of +/- 1% in the projections for the top candidates, according to La Tercera.
