Peru Extends Voting After Ballot Delivery Failures Delay Tens Of Thousands

Peru's general election descended into chaos as tens of thousands of voters were unable to cast ballots due to widespread technical and logistical failures.

The National Jury of Elections ordered a one-day extension for more than 63,000 voters.

ABC

The Prosecutor's Office opened an investigation, and police arrested an election official.

Voting is mandatory in Peru for citizens aged 18 to 70, with fines for non-participation.

The election featured 35 presidential candidates vying to replace 83-year-old President Balcázar.

A preliminary count placed conservative Keiko Fujimori slightly ahead with 17.08%.

Fujimori, running for the fourth time, capitalizes on voters' fear of rising violence.

Al Jazeera

The election comes as homicides doubled and extortion grew eightfold between 2018 and 2025.

Voters demanded candidates do more to tackle corruption and crime.

The political establishment has been rocked by scandals and impeachments that led to six presidents being ousted.

Voters were electing members of a bicameral Congress for the first time in more than 30 years.

The new 60-member Senate cannot be dissolved by the president.

Since 2018 there have been eight different presidents.

The climate of insecurity dominates the agenda.

Several candidates proposed greater military involvement in internal security.