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Peru’s Presidential Runoff: A High-Stakes Deadlock

The Polls Tighten as Fujimori and Sanchez Clash

Peru’s upcoming presidential runoff is shaping up to be a nail-biting showdown. Right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori and leftist rival Roberto Sanchez are locked in a dead heat, each polling at 38%, according to the latest Ipsos Peru survey. The prolonged vote count—still dragging from the first round—has fueled allegations of fraud that refuse to dissipate.

Fraud Allegations and the Battle for Legitimacy

The controversy ignited when ultra-conservative Rafael Lopez Aliaga, currently in third place, claimed thousands of votes were rigged. His demand to invalidate ballots found little support—even EU foreign observers found no evidence of fraud. Yet, with nearly all votes tallied, the race remains tense:

• Keiko Fujimori: 17%
• Roberto Sanchez: 12%
• Rafael Lopez Aliaga: 11.9%

Stranger still, if the runoff were between Fujimori and Lopez Aliaga, polls suggest she would lose by a narrow margin.

The OAS Steps In

The Organization of American States intervened, backing the electoral board’s decision and urging all parties to respect the election results. Meanwhile, Sanchez’s past as a minister under jailed ex-President Pedro Castillo has intensified debates over his policies and political alliances.

What’s Next?

With tensions running high, Peruvians brace for a runoff that could redefine the nation’s future. Will Fujimori secure victory? Or will Sanchez’s leftist surge upset the balance? One thing is certain—the clock is ticking.