Peru is witnessing its closest-fought elections in 50 years, with former investment banker Pedro Pablo Kuczynski taking the lead in the latest poll tally with a 0.34 percentage point edge over rival Keiko Fujimori.
In the latest update, by Peru's National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE), the margin between the two candidates widened to 57,000 votes in the latest update, two days after polls closed– a leap from the previous count with a difference of a mere few hundred votes.
Supporters for both candidates have camped outside Peru's electoral office, keeping a watchful eye on any announcement made by the electoral body. Many Fujimori supporters have been demanding that the ballots be recounted. According to officials, around 1.7 percent of the votes are being questioned due to a lack of transparency and will be decided by local electoral panels.
Ballots from abroad and in the remote jungle villages are still to be counted. It is expected that Peruvians living in Europe and the United States will be crucial in deciding the final results.
A supporter of Peruvian presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori displays an handkerchief with the writing "Keiko, president of Peru" in LimaPaco Chuquiure/ Reuters
Kuczynski whose party, Peruvians for Change, promises to invest in infrastructure projects and lower sales taxes, told the media he will be waiting for the official verdict from the vote before making any proclamations. "Lacking a little a peace and quiet but doing well. I think so but we have to wait for the official verdict," he said regarding his fortunes at the polls.
An anonymous source close to the Popular Force leader, told Reuters that Fujimori, who was the favourite to win, does not plan to accept defeat until every single vote had been counted.
A woman holds a photograph of presidential candidate for the 'Peruanos por el Kambio' party Pedro Pablo Kuczynski in LimaMartin Bernetti/ AFPA follower of Peruvian presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori waves a Peruvian flag in LimaJanine Costa / ReutersA supporter of Peruvian presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori stands outside Peru's National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) in LimaJanine Costa / Reuters
Peruvians have seemed welded to the legacy of Fujimori's father, Alberto Fujimori, who is currently serving a 25-year sentence after being held responsible for disturbing human rights violations, including corruption and scandals involving her own close advisers. The margin between the two candidates has widened to 57,000 votes in the latest update by Peru's electoral office, ONPE, two days after polls closed.
Mariano Cucho, head of the ONPE, has said he expects the final result to be announced on 9 June.
A boy wears a headband with the name of Peruvian presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori in LimaJanine Costa / ReutersSupporters of Peruvian presidential candidate Pedro Pablo Kuczynski waving flags stand outside Peru's National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) in LimaJanine Costa / ReutersPolice stand guard next to a supporter of Peruvian presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori outside Peru's National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) in LimaJanine Costa / ReutersSupporters of Peruvian presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori shout slogans outside Peru's National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) in LimaJanine Costa / ReutersA woman wears a headband with the name of Peruvian presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori in LimaJanine Costa / ReutersA follower of Peruvian presidential candidate Pedro Pablo Kuczynski reacts as two exit polls out of three gave him a slight edge over his opponent Keiko Fujimori, in LimaGuadalupe Pardo/ ReutersA dog looks on as police stand guard outside Peru's National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) in LimaJanine Costa / ReutersA woman cries for joy after two exit polls gives opposition candidate Pedro Pablo Kuczynsk a slight edge over Fujimori, in LimaJanine Costa / ReutersSuporters of Peru´s presidential candidate Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, protest in front of the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) in LimaErnesto Benavides/ AFPPresidential candidate for the 'Peruanos por el Kambio' party Pedro Pablo Kuczynski celebrates the preliminary results from the run-off elections in LimaErnesto Benavides/ AFPSupporters of Peru´s presidential candidate Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, protest in front of the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) in LimaErnesto Benavides/ AFPRiot police stand guard during a protest in front of the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE), in LimaErnesto Benavides/ AFPA supporter of Peru´s presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori protests in front of the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) in LimaErnesto Benavides/ AFPSupporters of Peru´s presidential candidate Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, protest in front of the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) in LimaErnesto Benavides/ AFPSupporters of Peru´s presidential candidate Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, protest in front of the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) in LimaErnesto Benavides/ AFPSupporters of Peru´s presidential candidate Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, protest in front of the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) in LimaErnesto Benavides/ AFPPeruvian presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori of the Fuerza Popular party gives supporters the thumbs-up from a balcony after voting in the run-off election in LimaLuka Gonzales/ AFPSupporters of Keiko Fujimori of the Fuerza Popular party react to the appearance of their leaderLuka Gonzales/ AFPSupporters of presidential candidate for the 'Peruanos por el Kambio' party Pedro Pablo Kuczynski cheer for him in LimaMartin Bernetti/ AFPSupporters of Peruvian presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori stand outside Peru's National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) in LimaJanine Costa / ReutersSupporters of Peru´s presidential candidate Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, protest in front of the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) in LimaErnesto Benavides/ AFP
