Keiko Fujimori edged ahead of Roberto Sanchez late on Wednesday as remaining overseas ballots shifted the official count in Peru's closely fought presidential runoff. According to the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE), Fujimori held 50.002% of the vote to Sanchez's 49.998% - a margin of roughly 650 votes - with 98.21% of polling stations reporting, representing about 18 million votes.
Only a small portion of polling stations remains to be included in the official tally, but the count is complicated by judicial challenges. ONPE data show that 1.76% of polling stations, corresponding to about 400,000 votes, have been referred for judicial review. Officials warned that that review process could extend for weeks. The bulk of disputed ballots comes from the Lima metropolitan area, which has been identified as a stronghold for Fujimori.
The two contenders have traded narrow leads throughout the counting period. Fujimori topped exit polls early in the process, while an Ipsos quick count - which has a record of correctly forecasting prior races - placed Sanchez slightly ahead. Sanchez briefly moved past Fujimori on Monday after gains in rural areas.
Both campaigns repeatedly urged supporters to remain calm and patient as results were finalized. On Wednesday, however, Sanchez adopted a firmer tone and requested a meeting with international observers to address what he described as "strange, unusual and questionable developments." The campaign-level escalation followed gatherings by some Sanchez backers outside the National Election Jury (JNE) offices in central Lima; law enforcement dispersed demonstrators with water cannons.
This runoff marks Fujimori's fourth consecutive appearance in a presidential second round after narrowly losing the two prior runoffs. In 2021 she was defeated by around 45,000 votes by then-candidate Pedro Castillo, who is currently jailed. Sanchez, who served as a minister under Castillo, has been cast as the political heir to Castillo in this contest; he has been visible during the count wearing the same cowboy hat associated with Castillo and waiting for early results outside the prison where Castillo is being held.
Fujimori has offered limited public comment during the count but has said on multiple occasions that she remains optimistic about her prospects. With most votes tallied but a judicial review and a small number of polling stations yet to be resolved, the outcome remains unresolved and could take additional time to be legally finalized.
Methodology note: Vote percentages and counts cited above are drawn from official ONPE reporting with 98.21% of polling stations reported and reflect the status of the count as of late Wednesday.