Peru says presidential election results due by mid-May after delayed count

"With 93 percent of ballots counted, right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori leads with 17 percent, while a close contest has emerged for second spot between left-wing candidate Roberto Sanchez on 12 percent and ultra-conservative Rafael Lopez Aliaga close behind on 11.9 percent."

"Yessica Clavijo, secretary general of the National Jury of Elections (JNE), said the delay was due to the review of more than 15,000 challenged ballots, with about 30 percent concerning the presidential race."

"Lopez Aliaga, a former mayor of the capital Lima, has been the most vocal critic of the delay, alleging fraud without presenting evidence and calling for the election to be annulled."

"Despite the setbacks, the European Union's election observer mission said the vote met democratic standards, indicating a level of legitimacy in the electoral process."

Peru's presidential election results are pending finalization until mid-May due to the review of over 15,000 challenged ballots. Right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori leads with 17 percent of votes counted. A close race for second place exists between left-wing candidate Roberto Sanchez at 12 percent and ultra-conservative Rafael Lopez Aliaga at 11.9 percent. The electoral authority has faced criticism over delays and allegations of fraud, with calls for protests from Lopez Aliaga. The EU's election observer mission stated that the election met democratic standards despite these challenges.

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