Following six weeks and a lengthy battle over the electoral polls in Peru, former school teacher and union leader Pedro Castillo has been officially declared as the country’s president elect.
Pedro castillo will sworn in on July 28 for a five years term, the bicentennial of Peruvian independence, election authorities informed on Monday.
As per reports, earlier on Monday, the National Jury of Elections (JNE) tossed out the final appeals filed by the right wing contender Keiko Fujimori, who alleged of voting irregularities which were found to be unsubstantiated.
The JNE clarified that leftist Pedro Castillo have won the election with 50.126 per cent of the vote. He was ahead with a narrow margin of around 44,263 votes, which is considered as a razor thin margin for a country having a population of about 33 million.
Economist Diana Boluarte, who is Castillo’s running mate, has been declared as the vice president elected by the National Jury of Elections (JNE).
The delay between the previous month run-off elections and Monday’s announcement emerged as the JNE was required to investigate Fujimori’s allegations. The Peruvian law states that a winner can only be declared after the JNE has revised every vote counts and resolved any complaints by the electoral monitors. Further, the Peru’s electoral system do not provide any vote recounting.
In a news conference that was held before Castillo was named as President-elect, Keiko Fujimori voiced, “I am going to recognize the results because it’s what the law and Constitution that I have sworn to says. The truth will come out, and we will work together to restore legitimacy in our country.”
For Keiko Fujimori, who is the daughter of former Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori, this is the third unsuccessful campaign for Peru’s Presidency.
However, Castillo and his party Peru Libre, debunked the allegations of irregularities. Castillo and the present President Francisco Sagasti urged for unity following the announcement. Sagasti commented that he would recognize the result presented by the JNE as legitimate.
Sagati tweeted, “I welcome the proclamation of Pedro Castillo as the president elect after the announcement of results by the JNE. Let’s look optimistically at the future of our country.”
Saludo la proclamación de @PedroCastilloTe como presidente electo tras el anuncio de los resultados por parte del JNE. Miremos con optimismo el futuro de nuestro país. A nueve días del Bicentenario, que sea este el inicio de una nueva etapa de reconciliación, consenso y unidad.
— Francisco Sagasti (@FSagasti) July 20, 2021
The election took place at a time of extreme political instability in Peru. Sagasti was Peru’s fourth President in less than five years after Congress voted to oust popular former leader Martin Vizcarra and Vizcarra’s replacement, Manuel Merino resigned.
Fujimori faces a corruption investigation which could have been suspended until the conclusion of her mandate considering she have won the election, according to a prosecutor working on the case against her.
