Ballot Box Found in Trash... Peru Holds Runoff Amid 'Ballot Shortage Crisis'

Ballot Delivery Delays and Ballot Boxes Discovered

Peru Begins Runoff Amid Political Distrust

Fujimori vs. Sanchez: A Battle Between Camps

Image to assist understanding of the article; not directly related to the main text. Pixabay

Peru, which experienced severe turmoil due to ballot delivery failures and poor election management, has finally entered the presidential runoff. In the first round of voting, tens of thousands of people were unable to exercise their right to vote, and additional delays in the vote count as well as allegations of election fraud have made this election a test of “restoring trust in elections,” going beyond a mere transfer of power.

According to local media such as El Comercio on June 7, the runoff pits Keiko Fujimori, the right-wing candidate from “Popular Force,” against Roberto Sanchez, the left-wing candidate from “Together for Peru.” Under Peru's election law, if no candidate secures a majority in the first round, the top two candidates proceed to a runoff. The new president’s term will begin on July 28, 2026.

'Extra-Large Pizza Box' Ballots...63,300 Unable to Vote

This crisis began with the first round of voting held on April 12. With more than 35 candidates running, the ballots had to be produced in an extra-large size, measuring 44 cm by 42 cm. Foreign media described them as “bigger than an extra-large pizza box.”

However, the real issue was not the size of the ballots, but their delivery. The private company responsible for transporting election materials failed to deliver the ballots on time to some polling stations in southern Lima. As a result, voters who had been waiting in line since dawn had to leave without voting.

A voter is checking their name before voting in Peru, where the presidential election was held last April. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

The National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) extended voting by one day in some areas, but the situation was not fully resolved. In Lima alone, about 63,300 people ultimately could not vote. This was interpreted as a significant factor undermining the fairness of the election itself.

Ballot Boxes Found in Trash...Shattered Election Trust

The chaos continued during the vote count. In an unprecedented incident, a ballot box was found in a trash bin in Lima, further fueling suspicions of fraud. As a result, the ONPE headquarters was raided, and Pier Corvetto, the head of ONPE, resigned, taking responsibility.

The National Jury of Elections (JNE) filed criminal charges against ONPE officials and the Galaga side for election interference. On the other hand, Galaga’s camp announced a countersuit, claiming they had simply followed the schedule presented by ONPE, resulting in ongoing disputes over accountability.

The announcement of the vote count was also delayed by nearly a month, escalating political tensions. Rafael Lopez Aliaga, the former mayor of Lima who placed third in the first round, demanded a re-vote, claiming election fraud. However, the Organization of American States (OAS) and European Union (EU) election observers did not acknowledge these claims, and the request was ultimately dismissed. Sanchez’s advancement to the runoff was only confirmed in mid-May.

'Miner Votes' as a Key Variable

This runoff holds greater significance than a simple head-to-head contest. Fujimori took first place in the initial round with 17.19%, campaigning for stronger public security and increased foreign investment. In contrast, Sanchez ranked second with 12.03%, promoting policies focused on wealth redistribution and expanding the role of the state. As such, this election is unfolding as a direct confrontation between conservative and progressive camps.

Voters waiting in line in front of the polling station. Photo by AP Yonhap News

In particular, analysts point out that the key to victory lies with the roughly 500,000 unofficial miners. These groups account for a significant portion of Peru’s gold production and wield substantial influence over regional economies. Their votes are considered a critical variable, as they are likely to be swayed by mining regulations and resource distribution policies.

'Can the Legitimacy Controversy Be Avoided?'

Experts believe that even after the outcome of this presidential election is determined, political conflict will be difficult to resolve. This is because trust in the electoral process has already been undermined by issues such as disenfranchisement, poor management, and delays in vote counting.

Some warn that “whoever wins is likely to face challenges to their legitimacy.” In fact, Peru has suffered from repeated changes in presidents and severe political instability over the past decade.

Ultimately, this runoff is expected to serve as a watershed moment, not just for selecting the next leader, but also for determining whether trust in the country’s broken electoral system can be restored.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.