Peru’s presidential candidate Carlos Alvarez leaves after voting at a polling station during the general election, in Lima, Peru April 12, 2026. REUTERS/Stifs Paucca
Key Facts
• April 12, 2026: Peru held presidential election voting and counting.
• Keiko Fujimori, right-wing candidate, leads with about 16% in exit polls.
• 35 candidates ran; approximately 27 million voters participated.
• If no candidate reaches 50%, a runoff will be held between top contenders.
• Voting day issues in Lima: shortage of ballots delayed opening of ~100 polling stations.
• 63,000 voters in Lima unable to vote initially due to logistical problems.
• Election board extended voting by 1 hour and opened some stations on April 13.
• Election board denies fraud, guarantees results reflect public will.
• Far-right candidate Rafael López Aliaga alleges serious fraud, calls for protests.
• Police investigating private subcontractor for late delivery of voting materials.
• Close race for second place among Roberto Sánchez, Ricardo Belmont, Rafael López Aliaga, Jorge Nieto.
• Crime and extortion surge are main campaign issues.
• Fujimori pledges to deploy military to prisons, expel illegal immigrants, strengthen borders.
• She seeks special powers for police modernization and military prison deployment.
• This is Fujimori’s fourth presidential run; her father, former president Alberto Fujimori, died in 2024 after serving 16 years for crimes against humanity and corruption.
Summary
The April 12, 2026, presidential election in Peru revealed right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori leading with about 16% of votes according to exit polls. With 35 candidates and 27 million voters, no one is expected to surpass 50%, prompting a likely runoff. Voting day faced significant logistical issues in Lima, where ballot shortages delayed openings at around 100 polling stations, preventing 63,000 voters from casting ballots initially. The election board responded by extending voting hours and opening some stations the following day, assuring no fraud occurred. However, far-right candidate Rafael López Aliaga contested the process, calling for protests. Crime, especially extortion, remains a top voter concern, with Fujimori promising military deployment to prisons, expulsion of illegal immigrants, and border security enhancements. This election marks Fujimori’s fourth presidential bid, following her father Alberto Fujimori’s controversial presidency and death in 2024. The race for second place is tight among several candidates, making the runoff outcome uncertain.
