Peruvian voters will have to wait until at least Monday to learn the outcome of Sunday’s presidential election after the process was mired with logistical issues that even left thousands of people in the country and abroad unable to cast ballots.
The problems prompted electoral authorities to allow more than 52,000 residents of Peru’s capital, Lima, to vote on Monday.
The extension, announced after vote counting began on Sunday evening, also covers Peruvians registered to vote in the US cities of Orlando, Florida, and Paterson, New Jersey.
The election comes amid a surge in violent crime and corruption that has fuelled widespread discontent among voters, who largely view candidates as dishonest and unprepared for the presidency.
A former minister, a comedian and a political heiress are among 35 candidates vying to become Peru’s ninth president in just 10 years.
Many of the contenders have responded to the crime concerns with wide-ranging proposals, including building mega-prisons, restricting food for prisoners and reinstating the death penalty for serious crimes.
“There’s so much crime, so many robberies on every corner; a bus driver was killed. What matters most to us right now is safety, the lives of every person,” said Justiniano, a 33-year-old voter.
“Politicians don’t always keep their promises. This time, we have to choose our president wisely so that he can improve Peru.”
More than 27 million people are registered to vote in the South American country. Of those, about 1.2 million cast ballots abroad, mainly from the United States and Argentina.
Voting is mandatory for Peruvians from the ages of 18 to 70. Failure to do so comes with a fine of up to $32 (€27).
A presidential candidate needs more than 50% of votes to win outright. However, a runoff in June is virtually assured given the deeply divided electorate and the pool of candidates, the largest in the Andean country’s history.
Voters are also being asked to choose the members of a bicameral Congress for the first time in more than 30 years, following recent legislative reforms that concentrate significant power in the new upper chamber of parliament.
