The presidential runoff held in Peru on Sunday, June 7—the country’s Flag Day—resulted in a technical tie between candidates Roberto Sánchez (Juntos por el Perú), who received 50.3%, and Keiko Fujimori (Fuerza Popular), with 49.7%, according to the 100% quick count (including votes from abroad); according to the polling firm IPSOS and the civil society organization Transparencia.
Sánchez: “Democracy for a Peru of all bloodlines”
As soon as the results were known, Roberto Sánchez, from Plaza San Martín, addressed the people with a message of integration and the restoration of democracy: “Comrades, people of the heartland, on this blessed night, a Peru of all bloodlines is putting the fundamental will of democracy for the entire people first. On this day of the people’s dignity, sisters and brothers, we have chosen to put an end to the mafia pact. Down with corruption!
Tonight, on behalf of the popular movement, we give thanks that we have concluded in unity with the Aymara and Amazonian peoples, small towns, small farmers, transport workers, merchants, and the poorest of our homeland, who have decided to reclaim the government for the people.”
Fujimori: “Whatever the result, we will recognize it”
Minutes later, candidate Keiko Fujimori spoke, highlighting the technical tie, the work of the representatives in monitoring the votes during the final count, and the role of the international observers. “Whatever the result, we will accept it, and we urge our opponent to do the same. And this will be the case once 100% of the ballots have been counted,” she said.
With her presidential ticket, Fujimori Higushi addressed the public with the following message: “We are in a dead heat. So far, there is no winner; it will be a long wait to find out. And I send a message to the election officials, whose work is doubly important. Redouble your efforts. This is the time to defend the will of the people. I call on the international community to stay until the very last moment to verify the results. And to the Peruvian people: do not lose hope; we need calm and hope.”
It should be noted that the Fuerza Popular candidate held a slight lead in the election flash announcement made at 5 p.m., in which she received 50.7%, compared to Sánchez Palomino, who received 49.3%. In the 8 p.m. quick count, the results were reversed.
Voting Patterns by Region
According to the quick count, voting patterns varied by department and region. In Lima, Fujimori secured 66.1% of the vote, while in the interior of the country (departments), Sánchez received 56.1% of the vote.
By region, on the coast (primarily urban), Fujimori received 63% of the vote, while in the highlands (primarily rural) Sánchez received 68.7%, and in the jungle, Sánchez also prevailed with 56.2% of the vote.
In both cases, people took to the streets of Metropolitan Lima to show their support for their candidates, while authorities urged the public to wait for the final results with great caution. These results will be announced in mid-July.
