Peru election chief resigns as vote count drags on

LIMA – The head of Peru’s electoral authority, Mr Piero Corvetto, resigned on April 21 as pressure grows over the long-delayed results from the country’s April 12 general election.

Mr Corvetto, who shared his resignation letter on X, had previously acknowledged logistical delays to the electoral process, but denied that any irregularities took place.

In his letter, Mr Corvetto said it was “necessary and unavoidable” for him to step down to ensure the presidential run-off, scheduled for June 7, is conducted “in a context of greater public confidence”, adding that many unresolved issues must still be clarified through an “impartial and exhaustive investigation”.

Delays to the official count have prompted fraud allegations from several candidates and calls for Mr Corvetto to be replaced from business leaders and lawmakers. European Union election observers said last week they found no evidence of fraud.

On April 20, Peru’s electoral authorities began reviewing thousands of contested ballots that were challenged due to inconsistencies, missing information or errors on tally sheets.

That has further delayed final results, with no clear presidential rival yet emerging to face conservative front runner Keiko Fujimori in a June run-off.

The final result of the presidential election will be known no later than May 15, according to Peru’s top electoral body, the National Jury of Elections (JNE), which swiftly said it had accepted Mr Corvetto’s resignation in a post on X.

Peru’s official vote count has barely moved since April 17.

With nearly 94 per cent of ballots tallied, Ms Fujimori was holding about 17 per cent of the vote, according to the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE).

Left-wing congressman Roberto Sanchez and ultra-conservative Rafael Lopez Aliaga remained locked in a tight contest for second place, with 12.0 per cent and 11.9 per cent of the vote respectively – a margin of roughly 14,000 votes that continues to fluctuate. REUTERS