Peru Awaits Final Verdict in Closely Fought Presidential Election

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Lima: Peru's presidential runoff began too close to call while vote counting started nationwide on Monday. Conservative candidate Fujimori and leftist lawmaker Roberto Sánchez stood apart by a mere percentage point.

According to a quick count by polling agency Ipsos, Sánchez was slightly ahead with 50.3% of the vote compared to Fujimori's 49.7%, which constituted a statistical tie. However, preliminary official findings, which indicated greater early returns from Lima and other cities, initially backed Fujimori.

Election officials cautioned that a final outcome would not be known for weeks when ballots from remote rural areas are reviewed and any legal challenges are assessed. Analysts believe Sánchez will become more popular when more votes from Peru's highland and rural areas are counted.

The strongly contested election has exposed Peru's deep political disparities. Fujimori has campaigned on promises to reduce crime and encourage investment, whilst Sánchez has promised constitutional revisions and greater state engagement in key industries such as mining.

Whoever succeeds will take over a country crippled by political instability, rising insecurity, and high popular dissatisfaction following a period of leadership instability. The winner is likely to be sworn in on July 28.