Keiko Fujimori edges ahead in Peru election as final vote count completed

Keiko Fujimori edges ahead in Peru election as final vote count completed
Peru's Conservative Keiko Fujimori addresses the media at her party's Popular Force headquarters, in Lima, Peru, 24 June 2026.
Reuters

Keiko Fujimori has emerged ahead in Peru's presidential run-off after electoral authorities completed the final vote count, bringing weeks of uncertainty closer to an end.

The National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) said Fujimori secured 50.135% of the vote, with 9,223,396 ballots, narrowly ahead of left-wing rival Roberto Sanchez, who received 49.865%, or 9,173,755 votes.

Although the count has been completed, Peru's National Electoral Jury (JNE) is due to officially declare the winner on 3 July.

Fujimori welcomed the conclusion of the lengthy count and said she would wait for the official announcement "with great humility, prudence, and responsibility".

"We are getting closer and closer to embarking on a path of order and hope for all Peruvians," she wrote on X.

Rival refuses to accept result

Sanchez has refused to accept the result, alleging electoral fraud without providing evidence. He has vowed not to recognise a Fujimori government and plans to file a legal appeal before the official declaration.

His supporters have staged demonstrations in Lima to "defend the vote", with further protests expected in the coming days, raising concerns that Peru's prolonged political turmoil could continue.

Fujimori prepares to take office

Fujimori, 51, would become Peru's 10th president since 2016 when she takes office on 28 July. The daughter of former president Alberto Fujimori, she is set to secure the presidency on her fourth attempt after previously losing three elections.

She has pledged to unite a country "divided in two", tackle rising crime and address the deep inequality facing the Andean nation.

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