BBC Online :
Leftist candidate Pedro Castillo has won the most votes in Peru’s close-run presidential run-off election.
With all ballots now counted, Mr Castillo has just over 50% of the votes – 44,000 more than right-wing contender Keiko Fujimori.
But Mr Castillo cannot be declared the winner until electoral authorities have finished processing a slew of legal challenges brought by Ms Fujimori. She has claimed electoral fraud, but has not provided any detailed evidence.
Electoral observers, including the Organisation of American States, have said they have found no irregularities. Castillo’s Free Peru party has also rejected accusations of fraud. More than 18.8 million Peruvians cast their votes in this year’s race – a turnout of nearly 75%. Observers have said it could take weeks to deliberate over Ms Fujimori’s legal challenges and formally announce a winner. Peru on edge ahead of unpredictable run-off voteBut Mr Castillo, a 51-year-old former school teacher and union leader, has already declared victory. “Tonight should not only be one of hullabaloo and joy, but of great responsibility,” he told supporters in the capital, Lima, according to RPP news. “Today the real battle begins to end the great inequalities here in our homeland.” He also called on election authorities to call the race and “respect the popular will”.
Meanwhile Ms Fujimori, who is running for president for a third time, acknowledged the release of the count, but said it was important to wait for the results from the pending investigations. “We trust the authorities, yes, but, above all, we trust the popular will,” she said.
