Peru’s election chief steps down amid frustration over long vote count

Ballot delivery delays and other missteps on election day have contributed to frustration with electoral authorities.The head of Peru’s election authority has resigned from his role amid widespread anger over the country’s chaotic general election earlier this month, with vote counting still under way.Piero Corvetto said in a social media post on Tuesday that he was stepping down as head of the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE), a government body tasked with organising elections in Peru.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Peru says presidential election results due by mid-May after delayed countlist 2 of 3Peru’s ballot count drags on amid frustration with presidential electionlist 3 of 3Peru’s presidential election headed to run off amid logistical chaosend of listIn a letter to the National Board of Justice (JNJ), Corvetto denied that irregularities had taken place, as some politicians have alleged.But he explained that he was leaving in a bid to increase public confidence, ahead of an anticipated second round of voting in the presidential race on June 7.The first round of the election, held on April 12, was marred by logistical issues that led to the extension of voting hours around the capital Lima and elsewhere.Election observers have acknowledged missteps with the electoral process but cautioned that there is no firm evidence of fraud.Peru’s National Jury of Elections (JNE) said the voting results will be finalised no later than May 15, with the top two presidential candidates advancing to the final round.Right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori leads with about 17 percent of the vote and is likely to advance to the run-off.But who will face her remains a mystery. Left-wing Congressman Roberto Sanchez and Lima’s former far-right mayor Rafael Lopez Aliaga remain virtually tied, with 12 percent and 11.9 percent respectively.The hectic first round of voting could deepen dissatisfaction with the country’s political system at a time of protracted instability and sloping trust in government institutions.