Lima (EFE).- The European Union electoral observation mission in Peru affirmed on Tuesday that the general elections held on Sunday and Monday were transparent, despite the «serious problems» in the distribution of electoral material that led to delays in some locations and extended election day to Monday in others.
«We have not found objective evidence to support the allegations of fraud at this point. It is clear that there were serious problems, such as 13 polling centers not opening,» said mission head Annalisa Corrado, an Italian MEP, at a press conference presenting the preliminary observation report.
Several presidential candidates, including the ultraconservative Rafael López Aliaga of Popular Renewal, who is currently in second place pending the final count, have claimed without providing evidence that logistical issues on Sunday resulted in election fraud.
Corrado explained that the mission has not received sufficient evidence to support the fraud narrative, but confirmed that they will continue to observe the entire process, including any public complaints.
“Widespread delays and the postponement of voting at 13 polling stations undermined an election that was otherwise well organized,” Corrado said regarding the mission’s preliminary report; the mission will submit its final report when the new president takes office on Jul. 28.
The document highlights that these general elections were the most complex in Peru’s recent history, «as they were carried out under a reformed legal framework that posed numerous challenges for both voters and the electoral administration.»
«The participation of 37 political organizations underscored the fractured state of the political party system,» she added.
Corrado also stressed that the elections took place amid a political and institutional crisis, as recent reforms have raised concerns about an imbalance of power between the government and parliament.
The extension of electoral hours
The mission supported the Peruvian electoral authorities’ decision to extend voting hours until Monday at 13 polling centers that could not open on Sunday due to delayed electoral material distribution.
However, the mission indicated that logistical problems need to be investigated.
«The electoral authorities made a quick and positive decision to enable voting in these places the following day, thereby guaranteeing and prioritizing the right to vote for the 50,261 affected voters. The mission observed the opening of the polls and the voting process in all of these centers on Monday,» she remarked.
Despite the «extremely complex» electoral structure, which included 37 political formations and five different elections, the report indicated that voters understood it well.
There were problems, but the mission showed that the elections were fair and that the people of Peru voted calmly and in order. EFE
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