On Monday, Keiko Fujimori emerged as Peru's president-elect after the completion of the vote count from the presidential runoff, as reported by the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE).
The Fuerza Popular candidate secured 50.135% of the valid votes, amounting to 9,223,396 ballots, narrowly surpassing leftist contender Roberto Sánchez Palomino from Juntos por el Perú, who garnered 49.865% with 9,173,755 votes.
The razor-thin margin of 49,641 votes between the two candidates marks one of the closest presidential races in Peru's recent history, according to the BBC.
The runoff, held on June 7, occurred amid intense political polarization. The counting process, extended by the scrutiny of contested and observed ballots, lasted 22 days, during which Sánchez briefly took the lead before losing ground at the finish line.
One crucial factor was the overseas vote, where Fujimori triumphed with 63.4% of the ballots cast outside Peru — 184,435 votes compared to 106,338 for her opponent — with a significant 76.5% support among Peruvians residing in the United States.
Sánchez's party filed a legal challenge seeking to annul the overseas votes due to alleged irregularities, but the National Jury of Elections (JNE) had previously dismissed similar requests for being filed after the legal deadline.
Roberto Burneo, the JNE president, refuted any claims of fraud, affirming that the election was conducted with "full normalcy and regularity."
The final announcement by the JNE, which is responsible for addressing any remaining disputes and formally declaring the president-elect for the 2026-2031 term, is still pending.
Assuming the process concludes smoothly, Fujimori is set to take office on July 28.
Reacting to the completed count, Fujimori expressed on social media platform X: "We await the JNE's proclamation with great humility, caution, and responsibility. We are closer to embarking on a path of order and hope for all Peruvians."
At 51, Fujimori becomes Peru's first woman elected as president through direct popular vote. Former President Dina Boluarte assumed office in 2022 through constitutional succession following Pedro Castillo's removal, not through direct election.
This victory marks Fujimori's fourth consecutive bid for the presidency, following defeats in the runoffs of 2011 against Ollanta Humala, 2016 against Pedro Pablo Kuczynski by just 42,000 votes, and 2021 against Pedro Castillo.
Fujimori will be the ninth individual to hold Peru's presidency in the past decade, a period marked by significant political instability with most leaders leaving office amid corruption allegations or parliamentary proceedings for their removal.
Her father, former President Alberto Fujimori, who led Peru from 1990 to 2000, passed away on September 12, 2024, at the age of 86, without witnessing his daughter ascend to power.
With the election results solidified and the JNE's proclamation as the final step, Fujimori inherits a deeply divided nation and faces the challenge of establishing the stability that has eluded her recent predecessors.
Key Questions about Keiko Fujimori's Presidential Victory
What was the vote margin between Keiko Fujimori and Roberto Sánchez Palomino?
Keiko Fujimori won by a narrow margin of 49,641 votes over Roberto Sánchez Palomino.
How did the overseas vote influence Fujimori's victory?
The overseas vote was significant in Fujimori's victory, as she received 63.4% of the votes cast outside Peru, particularly benefiting from strong support among Peruvians in the United States.
When will Keiko Fujimori officially assume the presidency?
If the process concludes without issues, Keiko Fujimori is expected to take office on July 28.