Peru’s runoff race tightens as Fujimori and Sanchez stay neck and neck

Peru’s upcoming presidential runoff is shaping up to be a nail-biter. Right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori and leftist rival Roberto Sanchez are locked in a tie at 38% each, according to the latest Ipsos Peru poll. The vote count has dragged on since the first round, fueling accusations of foul play that refuse to fade. The controversy started when ultra-conservative Rafael Lopez Aliaga, currently in third place, claimed thousands of votes were rigged. His demand to toss out ballots has gained no traction, though—even foreign observers from the EU found no proof of fraud. With nearly all votes tallied, Fujimori holds a narrow lead at 17%, Sanchez follows at 12%, and Lopez Aliaga isn’t far behind at 11. 9%.If the runoff were between Fujimori and Lopez Aliaga instead, polls suggest she’d lose by a small margin. The Organization of American States stepped in to reinforce the electoral board’s decision, urging respect for the election results. Sanchez’s background as a former minister under jailed ex-President Pedro Castillo adds another layer of debate about his policies and alliances.