Roberto Sánchez, the presidential candidate for Juntos por el Perú, announced his legal team will file a request to annul the presidential election results.
The move threatens to destabilize the transition of power in Peru as the country awaits the final confirmation of its next leader. Sánchez is challenging the legitimacy of the process, which currently sees Keiko Fujimori positioned to take office.
Speaking from the balcony of the Juntos por el Perú party headquarters in Lima on Friday, June 17, Sánchez said the election was irregular. He said that his legal team would file the resource for the nullity of the elections in the coming hours [1].
Sánchez based his challenge on the fact that 0.4% of the votes have not yet been counted [2]. Although he currently trails Fujimori, Sánchez said he believes the remaining ballots could alter the outcome or prove systemic irregularities.
In addition to the legal challenge, the candidate called for new days of public mobilization. He scheduled a protest for Friday, June 18, and said, "Our people are coming tomorrow" [3]. Reports indicate that thousands of protesters were expected to join the march in the capital [2].
Fujimori appeared to be moving toward the presidency as of Thursday, June 18 [4]. However, the announcement by Sánchez introduces a period of legal and social uncertainty. While some reports suggest Juntos por el Perú has confirmed its participation in the marches, other sources indicate it remains unclear if Sánchez's political allies fully support his leadership of the protests [5].
Sánchez also scheduled a press conference for Thursday, June 18, to provide further announcements regarding the party's strategy [6].
“"In the coming hours our legal team will file a resource for the nullity of the elections."”
This legal challenge and the call for mass protests highlight the deep political polarization in Peru. By targeting a small percentage of uncounted votes, Sánchez is attempting to create a legal window to contest the presidency, which could delay the official inauguration and increase social unrest in Lima.
