2026 Peruvian post-electoral crisis

WP:NPOV, probably needs more work

← Previous revision Revision as of 18:44, 15 April 2026 Line 22: Line 22: However, due to the ongoing delay, the ONPE announced that polling stations would remain open until 14:00 and that voting would conclude at 18:00.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2026/04/12/elecciones-2026-onpe-anuncia-que-amplia-el-horario-de-votacion-hasta-la-6-de-la-tarde-por-demoras-en-la-instalacion-de-mesas-hnews-779076|title=Elecciones 2026: ONPE anuncia que amplía el horario de votación hasta la 6 de la tarde por demoras en la instalación de mesas|access-date=2026-04-15|last=Cardoza|first=Josué Chávez|date=2026-04-12|website=larepublica.pe|language=es}}</ref> Corvetto offered his apologies, and the ONPE announced that it would initiate legal and criminal proceedings against Galaga, while also agreeing to be investigated itself.<ref>{{cite news|title=Elecciones 2026: ONPE amplía horario de votación hasta las 6 de la tarde|url=https://elcomercio.pe/lima/elecciones-peru-2026-onpe-amplia-horario-de-votacion-hasta-las-6-de-la-tarde-este-12-de-abril-onpe-jne-noticia/|newspaper=El Comercio|date=2026-04-12|access-date=2026-04-15|issn=1605-3052|language=es-PE}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.infobae.com/peru/2026/04/12/piero-corvetto-tras-escandalo-de-la-onpe-y-exclusion-de-63000-personas-del-voto-me-someto-a-toda-investigacion/|title=Piero Corvetto tras escándalo de la ONPE y exclusión de 63.000 personas del voto: "Me someto a toda investigación"|access-date=2026-04-15|author=Por Esteban Salazar Herrada|date=2026-04-12|website=infobae|language=es-PE}}</ref> At the same time, the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office for Crime Prevention, led by Prosecutor Lorena Villanueva, and the Anti-Corruption Division (DIRCOCOR) of the [[National Police of Peru]] (PNP) arrived at the ONPE headquarters to begin proceedings. It was also reported that the police raided Galaga’s headquarters.<ref name=":2" /> Despite the extended hours, the ONPE reported that 99.8% of the total polling stations were successfully set up, but that 211 polling stations corresponding to 15 voting locations in [[San Juan de Miraflores District|San Juan de Miraflores]], [[Lurín District|Lurín]], and [[Pachacámac District|Pachacamac]] could not be opened, meaning that more than 63,000 voters were unable to cast their ballots.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://peru21.pe/politica/onpe-reconoce-que-no-se-abrieron-211-mesas-se-trata-de-63300-votos/|title=ONPE reconoce que no se abrieron 211 mesas: se trata de 63,300 votos|access-date=2026-04-15|author=Perú 21|date=2026-04-13|website=peru21.pe|language=es}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/es/per%C3%BA-extiende-votaci%C3%B3n-al-lunes-en-mesas-que-no-abrieron/a-76758636|title=Perú extiende votación al lunes en mesas que no abrieron|access-date=2026-04-15|website=dw.com|language=es}}</ref> Following this, the Ombudsman’s Office issued a statement urging the JNE to extend the elections for those affected to April 13, noting that these voters represented 0.2% of the total.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.defensoria.gob.pe/defensoria-del-pueblo-solicito-al-jurado-nacional-de-elecciones-adopte-una-decision-historica-y-pueda-dar-continuidad-de-las-elecciones-generales-en-211-mesas-de-sufragio/|title=Defensoría del Pueblo solicitó al Jurado Nacional de Elecciones adopte una decisión histórica, y pueda dar continuidad de las Elecciones Generales en 211 mesas de sufragio|access-date=2026-04-15|website=Defensoria del Pueblo - Perú|language=es}}</ref> It was later revealed that 52,000 voters had been unable to vote on April 12.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.infobae.com/peru/2026/04/13/onpe-mas-de-52-mil-peruanos-que-no-votaron-en-lima-por-demora-en-mesas-de-sufragio-podran-hacerlo-este-13-de-abril/|title=ONPE: más de 52 mil peruanos que no votaron en Lima por demora en mesas de sufragio podrán hacerlo este 13 de abril|access-date=2026-04-15|author=Por Marlon Carrasco Freitas|date=2026-04-13|website=infobae|language=es-PE}}</ref> Following this, the JNE plenary announced the extension of the elections for those affected to April 13. Roberto Burneo, head of the JNE, stated that this was a measure taken in response to the deficiencies that had arisen.<ref name=":3" /> However, due to the ongoing delay, the ONPE announced that polling stations would remain open until 14:00 and that voting would conclude at 18:00.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2026/04/12/elecciones-2026-onpe-anuncia-que-amplia-el-horario-de-votacion-hasta-la-6-de-la-tarde-por-demoras-en-la-instalacion-de-mesas-hnews-779076|title=Elecciones 2026: ONPE anuncia que amplía el horario de votación hasta la 6 de la tarde por demoras en la instalación de mesas|access-date=2026-04-15|last=Cardoza|first=Josué Chávez|date=2026-04-12|website=larepublica.pe|language=es}}</ref> Corvetto offered his apologies, and the ONPE announced that it would initiate legal and criminal proceedings against Galaga, while also agreeing to be investigated itself.<ref>{{cite news|title=Elecciones 2026: ONPE amplía horario de votación hasta las 6 de la tarde|url=https://elcomercio.pe/lima/elecciones-peru-2026-onpe-amplia-horario-de-votacion-hasta-las-6-de-la-tarde-este-12-de-abril-onpe-jne-noticia/|newspaper=El Comercio|date=2026-04-12|access-date=2026-04-15|issn=1605-3052|language=es-PE}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.infobae.com/peru/2026/04/12/piero-corvetto-tras-escandalo-de-la-onpe-y-exclusion-de-63000-personas-del-voto-me-someto-a-toda-investigacion/|title=Piero Corvetto tras escándalo de la ONPE y exclusión de 63.000 personas del voto: "Me someto a toda investigación"|access-date=2026-04-15|author=Por Esteban Salazar Herrada|date=2026-04-12|website=infobae|language=es-PE}}</ref> At the same time, the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office for Crime Prevention, led by Prosecutor Lorena Villanueva, and the Anti-Corruption Division (DIRCOCOR) of the [[National Police of Peru]] (PNP) arrived at the ONPE headquarters to begin proceedings. It was also reported that the police raided Galaga’s headquarters.<ref name=":2" /> Despite the extended hours, the ONPE reported that 99.8% of the total polling stations were successfully set up, but that 211 polling stations corresponding to 15 voting locations in [[San Juan de Miraflores District|San Juan de Miraflores]], [[Lurín District|Lurín]], and [[Pachacámac District|Pachacamac]] could not be opened, meaning that more than 63,000 voters were unable to cast their ballots.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://peru21.pe/politica/onpe-reconoce-que-no-se-abrieron-211-mesas-se-trata-de-63300-votos/|title=ONPE reconoce que no se abrieron 211 mesas: se trata de 63,300 votos|access-date=2026-04-15|author=Perú 21|date=2026-04-13|website=peru21.pe|language=es}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/es/per%C3%BA-extiende-votaci%C3%B3n-al-lunes-en-mesas-que-no-abrieron/a-76758636|title=Perú extiende votación al lunes en mesas que no abrieron|access-date=2026-04-15|website=dw.com|language=es}}</ref> Following this, the Ombudsman’s Office issued a statement urging the JNE to extend the elections for those affected to April 13, noting that these voters represented 0.2% of the total.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.defensoria.gob.pe/defensoria-del-pueblo-solicito-al-jurado-nacional-de-elecciones-adopte-una-decision-historica-y-pueda-dar-continuidad-de-las-elecciones-generales-en-211-mesas-de-sufragio/|title=Defensoría del Pueblo solicitó al Jurado Nacional de Elecciones adopte una decisión histórica, y pueda dar continuidad de las Elecciones Generales en 211 mesas de sufragio|access-date=2026-04-15|website=Defensoria del Pueblo - Perú|language=es}}</ref> It was later revealed that 52,000 voters had been unable to vote on April 12.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.infobae.com/peru/2026/04/13/onpe-mas-de-52-mil-peruanos-que-no-votaron-en-lima-por-demora-en-mesas-de-sufragio-podran-hacerlo-este-13-de-abril/|title=ONPE: más de 52 mil peruanos que no votaron en Lima por demora en mesas de sufragio podrán hacerlo este 13 de abril|access-date=2026-04-15|author=Por Marlon Carrasco Freitas|date=2026-04-13|website=infobae|language=es-PE}}</ref> Following this, the JNE plenary announced the extension of the elections for those affected to April 13. Roberto Burneo, head of the JNE, stated that this was a measure taken in response to the deficiencies that had arisen.<ref name=":3" />

Furthermore, it was revealed that the Comptroller’s Office had warned the head of the ONPE on March 24 of risks in the distribution of election materials and that this situation could affect the conduct of the elections.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.expreso.com.pe/actualidad/elecciones-general-2026-contraloria-alerto-hace-semanas-sobre-fallas-logisticas-en-transporte-de-material-electoral-onpe-piero-corvetto-noticia/1279091/|title=Elecciones General 2026: Contraloría alertó hace semanas sobre fallas logísticas en transporte de material electoral|date=12 April 2026|year=2026|website=Diario Expreso (Perú)}}</ref> It was reported that Galaga had been penalized by the ONPE on three previous occasions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rpp.pe/lima/actualidad/empresa-senalada-por-la-onpe-de-incumplir-con-traslado-de-material-electoral-fue-penalizada-3-veces-en-2020-y-2023-noticia-1684019|title=Empresa señalada por la ONPE de incumplir con traslado de material electoral fue penalizada 3 veces por la misma entidad|access-date=2026-04-15|last=J|first=Luis Rodriguez|date=2026-04-12|website=rpp.pe|language=es}}</ref> Meanwhile, López Aliaga stated that a “fraud” had begun, claiming that in his view, what had happened was no coincidence, arguing that the affected areas were aligned with Renovación Popular.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/l%c3%b3pez-aliaga-cree-que-%22empez%c3%b3-fraude%22-en-per%c3%ba-por-el-retraso-en-abrir-centros-de-votaci%c3%b3n/91245108|title=López Aliaga cree que "empezó fraude" en Perú por el retraso en abrir centros de votación|access-date=2026-04-15|author=swissinfo.ch|first=S. W. I.|date=2026-04-12|website=SWI swissinfo.ch|language=es}}</ref> López Aliaga argued that the candidate [[Roberto Sánchez Palomino|Roberto Sánchez]] of [[Juntos por el Perú]] was preparing a “massive fraud” and that one million votes had been stolen from his campaign so that Sánchez could advance to the runoff.<ref name=":4">{{cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/el-candidato-roberto-s%c3%a1nchez-rechaza-fraude-y-pide-respeto-al-voto-del-%22per%c3%ba-profundo%22/91257008|title=El candidato Roberto Sánchez rechaza fraude y pide respeto al voto del "Perú profundo"|access-date=2026-04-15|author=swissinfo.ch|first=S. W. I.|date=2026-04-15|website=SWI swissinfo.ch|language=es}}</ref> Furthermore, it was revealed that the Comptroller’s Office had warned the head of the ONPE on March 24 of risks in the distribution of election materials and that this situation could affect the conduct of the elections.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.expreso.com.pe/actualidad/elecciones-general-2026-contraloria-alerto-hace-semanas-sobre-fallas-logisticas-en-transporte-de-material-electoral-onpe-piero-corvetto-noticia/1279091/|title=Elecciones General 2026: Contraloría alertó hace semanas sobre fallas logísticas en transporte de material electoral|date=12 April 2026|year=2026|website=Diario Expreso (Perú)}}</ref> It was reported that Galaga had been penalized by the ONPE on three previous occasions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rpp.pe/lima/actualidad/empresa-senalada-por-la-onpe-de-incumplir-con-traslado-de-material-electoral-fue-penalizada-3-veces-en-2020-y-2023-noticia-1684019|title=Empresa señalada por la ONPE de incumplir con traslado de material electoral fue penalizada 3 veces por la misma entidad|access-date=2026-04-15|last=J|first=Luis Rodriguez|date=2026-04-12|website=rpp.pe|language=es}}</ref> Meanwhile, López Aliaga stated that a “fraud” had begun, claiming that in his view, what had happened was no coincidence, arguing that the affected areas were aligned with Renovación Popular.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/l%c3%b3pez-aliaga-cree-que-%22empez%c3%b3-fraude%22-en-per%c3%ba-por-el-retraso-en-abrir-centros-de-votaci%c3%b3n/91245108|title=López Aliaga cree que "empezó fraude" en Perú por el retraso en abrir centros de votación|access-date=2026-04-15|author=swissinfo.ch|first=S. W. I.|date=2026-04-12|website=SWI swissinfo.ch|language=es}}</ref> López Aliaga also claimed that the candidate [[Roberto Sánchez Palomino|Roberto Sánchez]] of [[Juntos por el Perú]] was preparing a “massive fraud” and that one million votes had been stolen from his campaign so that Sánchez could advance to the runoff.<ref name=":4">{{cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/el-candidato-roberto-s%c3%a1nchez-rechaza-fraude-y-pide-respeto-al-voto-del-%22per%c3%ba-profundo%22/91257008|title=El candidato Roberto Sánchez rechaza fraude y pide respeto al voto del "Perú profundo"|access-date=2026-04-15|author=swissinfo.ch|first=S. W. I.|date=2026-04-15|website=SWI swissinfo.ch|language=es}}</ref>

The President [[José María Balcázar]], in response to these statements, ruled out any attempted fraud.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/presidente-interino-de-per%c3%ba-descarta-fraude-en-elecciones%2c-ante-retrasos-en-abrir-locales/91245257|title=Presidente interino de Perú descarta fraude en elecciones, ante retrasos en abrir locales|access-date=2026-04-15|author=swissinfo.ch|first=S. W. I.|date=2026-04-12|website=SWI swissinfo.ch|language=es}}</ref> The Attorney General {{ill|Tomás Gálvez|es|Tomás Gálvez}} and the [[European Union]] Election Observation Mission also dismissed the allegations of fraud, noting that the election had proceeded normally despite delays that were described as “serious problems.” Gálvez stated that prosecutors deployed nationwide had reported incidents such as delays in opening polling stations, but there was no evidence of fraud.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/es/la-ue-califica-elecciones-de-per%C3%BA-como-transparentes-pese-a-problemas-graves/a-76783564|title=UE: elecciones en Perú fueron transparentes pese a problemas|access-date=2026-04-15|website=dw.com|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ojo-publico.com/ultimas-noticias/6238/observadores-internacionales-proceso-fue-ordenado-pese-demoras|title=Observadores internacionales: proceso fue ordenado pese a demoras|access-date=2026-04-15|author=ojopublico|date=2026-04-14|website=Ojo Público|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.exitosanoticias.pe/elige-bien/mision-europea-peru-descarta-fraude-elecciones-no-hay-suficientes-elementos-n173504|title=Misión europea en Perú descarta fraude en las elecciones: "No hay suficientes elementos" - Exitosa Noticias|access-date=2026-04-15|author=Sourtech|website=www.exitosanoticias.pe|language=es-PE}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://elperuano.pe/noticia/293448-fiscal-de-la-nacion-descarta-indicios-de-fraude-en-elecciones-del-domingo|title=Fiscal de la Nación descarta indicios de fraude en elecciones del domingo|access-date=2026-04-15|last=Peruano|first=Diario Oficial El|date=2026-04-13|website=elperuano.pe|language=es}}</ref> The President [[José María Balcázar]], in response to these statements, ruled out any attempted fraud.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/presidente-interino-de-per%c3%ba-descarta-fraude-en-elecciones%2c-ante-retrasos-en-abrir-locales/91245257|title=Presidente interino de Perú descarta fraude en elecciones, ante retrasos en abrir locales|access-date=2026-04-15|author=swissinfo.ch|first=S. W. I.|date=2026-04-12|website=SWI swissinfo.ch|language=es}}</ref> The Attorney General {{ill|Tomás Gálvez|es|Tomás Gálvez}} and the [[European Union]] Election Observation Mission also dismissed the allegations of fraud, noting that the election had proceeded normally despite delays that were described as “serious problems.” Gálvez stated that prosecutors deployed nationwide had reported incidents such as delays in opening polling stations, but there was no evidence of fraud.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/es/la-ue-califica-elecciones-de-per%C3%BA-como-transparentes-pese-a-problemas-graves/a-76783564|title=UE: elecciones en Perú fueron transparentes pese a problemas|access-date=2026-04-15|website=dw.com|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ojo-publico.com/ultimas-noticias/6238/observadores-internacionales-proceso-fue-ordenado-pese-demoras|title=Observadores internacionales: proceso fue ordenado pese a demoras|access-date=2026-04-15|author=ojopublico|date=2026-04-14|website=Ojo Público|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.exitosanoticias.pe/elige-bien/mision-europea-peru-descarta-fraude-elecciones-no-hay-suficientes-elementos-n173504|title=Misión europea en Perú descarta fraude en las elecciones: "No hay suficientes elementos" - Exitosa Noticias|access-date=2026-04-15|author=Sourtech|website=www.exitosanoticias.pe|language=es-PE}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://elperuano.pe/noticia/293448-fiscal-de-la-nacion-descarta-indicios-de-fraude-en-elecciones-del-domingo|title=Fiscal de la Nación descarta indicios de fraude en elecciones del domingo|access-date=2026-04-15|last=Peruano|first=Diario Oficial El|date=2026-04-13|website=elperuano.pe|language=es}}</ref>