Peru Presidential Election: Exit Poll Shows Keiko Fujimori with Slim Lead

(Central News Agency, Lima, 7th, Combined Foreign Reports) Peru held an election on Sunday to choose its ninth president in ten years. An exit poll indicates that conservative candidate Keiko Fujimori (51), running for the presidency for the fourth time, holds a razor-thin lead over leftist candidate Roberto Sanchez (57).

According to combined reports from AFP and Reuters, Peruvian voters were forced to choose between Fujimori and Sanchez.

Polling agencies such as Ipsos reported that Fujimori's support rate is approximately 50.7%, compared to Sanchez's 49.3%, a gap of about one percentage point, making the race virtually neck-and-neck.

Fujimori is the daughter of former dictator Alberto Fujimori. Sanchez, 57, surged in the late stages of the campaign, securing a spot in the runoff with support from voters in impoverished rural areas.

Peruvian voters told pollsters that their primary concern is crime. In recent years, a surge in homicides and extortion cases has sparked massive protests and led to the resignation of former President Dina Boluarte.

The election atmosphere has been further strained by chaotic first-round voting and accusations of fraud from both camps, who have also threatened protests. Regardless of who wins, they will face a deeply divided congress.

Peru has experienced significant political turmoil in recent years, with three presidents in the last five years being impeached or removed from office by congress. (Editor: Liu Wenyu) 1150608