Keiko Fujimori is projected to advance to a June 7 presidential runoff in Peru after the official count entered its third day. With about 74% of ballots tallied, she led on 16.9% while Rafael Lopez Aliaga and Jorge Nieto battled closely for second, at roughly 13% and 12%. Extended voting for over 50,000 people and logistical failures pushed the tally beyond the expected timeline, ensuring a runoff since no candidate reached 50%.
Keiko Fujimori Set for Peru Runoff as Vote Count Extends Into Third Day
Peru’s presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori arrives to vote at a polling station during the general election, in Lima, Peru April 12, 2026. REUTERS/Angela Ponce
LIMA, April 14 — Conservative politician Keiko Fujimori is projected to advance to a presidential runoff in Peru as the official vote count entered its third day, the country's electoral authority ONPE reported.
With roughly 74% of ballots tallied, Fujimori — a former congresswoman and the daughter of ex‑President Alberto Fujimori — led the pack on 16.9% of the vote. No candidate is close to the absolute majority required to win outright.
Right‑wing former Lima mayor Rafael Lopez Aliaga and centre‑left candidate Jorge Nieto remained locked in a tight contest for the second qualifying spot, registering about 13% and 12% respectively. Political outsider Ricardo Belmont trailed in fourth with just under 10%.
A runoff is expected to be held on June 7, prolonging political uncertainty in Peru, the world's third‑largest copper producer, as campaigns prepare for a head‑to‑head contest. Results could still shift as ONPE continues to process outstanding ballots and verify tallies.
Election officials extended polling into Monday for more than 50,000 people who were unable to vote on Sunday after widespread delays and logistical problems on voting day. Those extensions contributed to the prolonged count into a third day.
(Reporting by Marco Aquino and Aida Pelaez‑Fernandez; editing by Cassandra Garrison)
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