Keiko Fujimori leads Peru vote, to face Sanchez in June runoff

Peru's National Office of Electoral Processes announced Friday the completion of the final ballot count from the April 12 general election, confirming that Keiko Fujimori of the Popular Force party has secured a place in the June 7 presidential runoff. The electoral body stated that 100 percent of ballots had been tabulated more than 30 days after the initial vote and its one-day extension, with Fujimori receiving 17 percent of the total vote — or 2,877,678 ballots. The official confirmation of the two advancing candidates is scheduled for May 17, though Friday's results established the likely matchup for the presidency.

Fujimori, the daughter of former president Alberto Fujimori, maintained her lead throughout the protracted counting process, positioning her to contest the second round. The battle for the second runoff spot proved narrow, with Roberto Sanchez of the Together for Peru party ultimately edging past Rafael Lopez Aliaga of the Popular Renewal Party by a thin margin. Electoral authorities reported that Sanchez secured 12.031 percent of the vote, or 2,015,114 ballots, while Aliaga finished with 11.904 percent, or 1,993,904 votes.

Fraud allegations and irregularities

The first round was marred by logistical delays and procedural irregularities that forced authorities to extend voting by an additional day beyond the scheduled April 12 election. Aliaga initially levied strong accusations of electoral fraud, asserting that the process had been rigged to exclude him from the runoff and calling for the annulment of the results. However, the conservative candidate and his Popular Renewal Party later accepted the outcome, pledging instead to combat what they termed a "criminal organization" through congressional action to protect democratic institutions.

Investigations and legal challenges

Although Sanchez appears set to advance to the runoff against Fujimori, the candidate faces ongoing scrutiny from Peru's Attorney General's Office regarding allegations of campaign fund embezzlement dating back to 2018. Prosecutors have requested a prison sentence of up to five years in connection with the case, which Sanchez maintains has already been dismissed by the judiciary after six years of proceedings. "The case has been shelved — the fraud charges have been dismissed," Sanchez said, referring to the investigation into the alleged misuse of party funds that authorities initiated nearly seven years ago.

Runoff timeline

The electoral body will formally announce the two candidates advancing to the second round on May 17, clearing the way for the June 7 presidential runoff. The delayed first-round count and subsequent fraud allegations have heightened tensions ahead of the decisive vote, which will determine Peru's next head of state. More than 30 days passed between the initial balloting and the final certification, marking one of the most protracted electoral processes in recent Peruvian history.