Preliminary results and independent quick counts indicated a statistical tie, underscoring the deep political divisions that continue to shape the South American nation. An Ipsos quick count gave Sánchez a narrow lead of 50.3% to 49.7%, a margin well within the survey’s error range and too small to determine a winner.
Official vote tabulations told a similarly close story. With more than 90% of ballots counted, Fujimori held a slim advantage of approximately 50.48% to Sánchez’s 49.52%, a difference of fewer than 200,000 votes. Election officials cautioned that millions of votes remained to be processed and that the outcome could still change as additional ballots are counted.
The razor-thin margins have raised expectations that the final result could take weeks to certify, particularly if either campaign challenges ballots or requests recounts. Analysts note that Peru experienced a similarly contentious and prolonged vote-counting process during the 2021 presidential runoff.
The race has highlighted stark geographic and political divisions across Peru. Fujimori performed strongly in the capital, Lima, and other urban coastal regions, while Sánchez drew substantial support from rural and highland areas, where voters have expressed frustration with economic inequality and political exclusion.
Throughout the campaign, crime, economic opportunity, and constitutional reform emerged as key issues. Fujimori campaigned on promises to strengthen security and attract investment, while Sánchez advocated for greater state involvement in strategic industries, constitutional changes, and expanded support for rural communities.
The election comes at a time of continued political instability in Peru, which has seen a rapid turnover of presidents and repeated clashes between the executive and legislative branches over the past decade. Regardless of who ultimately prevails, the next president is expected to face significant challenges governing alongside a fragmented Congress and a deeply polarized electorate.
Both candidates have urged supporters to remain calm as the count continues. Election authorities say the final outcome will not be known until all ballots have been reviewed and any legal challenges are resolved.