Peru Runoff Too Close To Call As Sanchez Holds Razor-Thin Lead

LIMA (Peru), June 9 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Peru’s presidential runoff remains on a knife-edge as of midday Monday, with over 94 per cent of votes counted and both candidates urging supporters to remain calm, Anadolu Ajansi reported. 

The latest figures from Peru’s National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) showed Roberto Sanchez maintaining a slight advantage over Keiko Fujimori. Sanchez is currently leading by a slight margin, with 50.029 per cent of the vote to Fujimori’s 49.971 per cent.

In Arequipa to the south, the nation’s second-largest city, official polls place Sanchez with 63 per cent of the vote, with 36 per cent for Fujimori. Meanwhile, in the capital, Lima, Fujimori currently leads with 63 per cent to Sanchez’s 36 per cent. 

Speaking to reporters Monday, Fujimori said she felt calm as electoral authorities continued to tally votes. “What is needed is patience and composure,” she said.

“I also call on the representatives, not just the poll watchers, but the legal representatives, of which we have more than 100 throughout Peru, because they will have to fight, and analyse each of these tally sheets. We will have to wait and respect the results, whoever the winner may be.”

Sanchez also called for "calm and serenity" as he spoke to reporters at the country's Congress.

"Important results have already been issued on the quick count ... We are confident and optimistic, but as it currently stands, the count to 100 per cent officially is still yet to be revealed," he said.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU