Peruvian authorities confirm Fujimori and Sanchez advance to runoff

Candidates will face off on June 7 election after first round of voting marred by logistical errors, fraud allegations.Peruvian election authorities have confirmed that right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori will face off against the left-wing Congress member Roberto Sanchez in the country’s presidential runoff, following a chaotic first round of voting.Peru’s National Jury of Elections (JNE) confirmed the results of the first round of voting on Sunday, with Fujimori taking first place with 17 percent of the vote. She was followed by Sanchez with 12 percent.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Peru’s election chief steps down amid frustration over long vote countlist 2 of 3Police raid Peru’s election authorities after outcry over slow vote countlist 3 of 3Peru presidential candidate charged with financial crimesend of listThe electoral body also acknowledged problems with the first round of voting, which was marred by count delays and logistical issues. It pledged to make fixes before the runoff next month.“We cannot deny that there were many difficulties and flaws in the logistical deployment by the organising entity, ONPE,” JNE President Roberto Burneo said during a press conference.“We have incorporated all the lessons learned from the first round and are strengthening oversight,” he added.The elections body stated that a committee of national and international experts will be convened to ensure a smoother process during the second round of voting.Shortcomings in the first round on April 12 led to voting in some places being extended to the next day.The election-day hiccups underscored widespread discontent and mistrust with the country’s political system and sparked allegations of fraud from several candidates.Election observers have acknowledged frustrations but cautioned that there is no evidence of fraud.Far-right candidate Rafael Lopez Aliaga, who came in third place with 11.9 percent of the vote, has called for the first round of voting to be annulled. In a social media post on Sunday, he said he would not accept the results.