This malfunction sparked protests across the country, with many voters denouncing irregularities and questioning the credibility of the election, despite assurances from electoral authorities regarding the reliability of the results. More than 63,000 voters in Lima and other regions, including those abroad, will be able to vote on Monday, April 13, after ballots were not delivered to dozens of polling stations. This delay postpones the announcement of the results until at least April 14 and fuels concerns about transparency and voter turnout in a hotly contested election with 35 candidates. The vote is taking place against a backdrop of significant political instability and rising crime, as Peru has had nine presidents in ten years. More than 27 million voters are registered, including 1.2 million abroad, and voting is compulsory for those aged 18-70, under penalty of a fine of up to approximately 30 euros. With no candidate able to surpass the 50% threshold, a second round in June seems likely. Voters must also elect a bicameral Congress for the first time in over 30 years, with the return of a 60-seat Senate alongside a 130-member lower house, strengthening the role of Parliament vis-à-vis the executive branch.
