Peru leftist candidate seeks recount as presidential race remains too close to call

TLE Desk: Peru’s leftist presidential candidate Roberto Sanchez has called for a full recount of votes in the country’s tightly contested election, as conservative rival Keiko Fujimori holds a razor-thin lead with the count nearing completion, reports AFP.

With 98.27 percent of ballots counted from Sunday’s runoff election, Fujimori has secured 50.005 percent of the vote compared with Sanchez’s 49.995 percent, according to electoral authorities.

At a press conference on Friday, Sanchez proposed that both candidates jointly request an exhaustive review of the election results, citing alleged irregularities in Lima and among overseas ballots.

“I propose that we jointly request an exhaustive review, a recount of the entire process, especially where there are alleged indications that transparency may not have been upheld as it should,” Sanchez said.

He also accused Fujimori’s political camp of seeking to invalidate votes from Peru’s southern regions, where he enjoys strong support.

The closely fought election is seen as a crucial test for Peru, which has experienced years of political instability and frequent changes of leadership.

Fujimori moved ahead in the count late Wednesday after ballots cast abroad were included in the tally. Electoral authorities are now reviewing disputed and challenged tally sheets as part of the final stage of the process.

Officials have warned that the final result may not be confirmed for another two to three weeks.

The election marks the fourth presidential bid by Keiko Fujimori, daughter of former Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori, who was imprisoned for human rights violations.

Sanchez, meanwhile, is backed by former president Pedro Castillo, who is currently jailed following his failed attempt to dissolve Congress in 2022.

The outcome is expected to shape Peru’s political direction after years of institutional turmoil and leadership crises.