Peru’s president reaffirms country’s elections were clean

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Peru’s president Francisco Sagasti reaffirmed that the election process in the country was clean, observed by international organizations and that the electoral system “worked without the slightest interference from the Executive Power.”

“The entire process followed the established rules. The international observation missions, all of them, have stated that the process showed no irregularities, that it has not contravened the rules required to transparently and fairly elect a ruler,” he said in statements published on Sunday (11) by El Comercio newspaper.

Sagasti, who assumed the transitional government of Peru last November, emphasized that his administration has “remained on the sidelines” of the process, as provided by Peruvian law, and has “provided electoral bodies with all facilities, without the slightest interference.”

“Until the second round in the evening, the two candidates said that the elections were clean and smooth, and that the government should not intervene. Therefore, the assessment should essentially be made by the political parties that participated in the second round,” he remarked.

KEIKO FUJIMORI’S OPPOSITION

The president spoke out during the political clash and deep polarization faced by his country after the June 6 presidential runoff, contested by leftist candidate Pedro Castillo and right-winger Keiko Fujimori.

The second round official count showed that Castillo secured slightly over 40,000 votes more than Fujimori, although the electoral jury has not yet announced a winner because it must finish settling the objections filed against the results.

Fujimori has been claiming since the day after the vote count that she has been the victim of a “systematic fraud” – for which she has so far failed to present any credible evidence – and has called for the annulment of some 200,000 ballots in areas where Castillo secured an overwhelming number of votes.

No electoral observation body, including the OAS (Organization of American States), has found evidence of “fraud”, while countries and institutions such as the European Union, the U.S., the UK and Canada have expressed their confidence in the Peruvian electoral system and that the Peruvian elections were free and fair.

Nevertheless, Fujimori asserted on Saturday (10) that she will not accept Castillo’s enactment as Peru’s president-elect, a decision that the National Electoral Jury is expected to announce this week.

“We are here to deliver a clear and forceful message. It is said that in a few hours or in a few days the fraud is going to be perpetuated and we tell them that we are not going to accept it,” the candidate said.

VARGAS LLOSA DISINFORMATION

Sagasti also lamented “the disinformation” by author Mario Vargas Llosa, who claimed this week in Spain that Peru’s government has taken Castillo’s side. Vargas Llosa publicly supports Fujimori.

“I lament the disinformation, because anyone who can see objectively, with clarity, the things that the government has done, can see that this is not true,” he remarked.

However, he added that he “stands by the statements” given by Vargas Llosa earlier, when he confirmed that he talked about the elections with Sagasti, although this conversation did not include any attempt to intervene in the development of the process.

“In my opinion, politics generally consists in an exercise of dialogue, of conversation, with the people who agree with one and with the people who do not, especially in critical moments,” the president pointed out.

TRANSFER PROCESS READY

Sagasti also reported that his regime is now “conducting an administrative transfer” and “all ministers have the necessary information ready” to submit “the full range of options to whoever remains in office so that he/she can decide.”

“We are going to be available, as am I myself, personally,” he asserted before saying that “ideally,” once the winner is announced, the National Agreement forum should meet “with the two candidates, and reach a mutual respect and governability minimum agreement.”

In this respect, he said that he would “love” to witness a dialogue between the candidates, since “the whole country expects a minimal reconciliation and respect.”

“The whole country is in suspense and calls for an effort toward agreement, mutual respect, no disqualification, to work in accordance with facts; and, from then on, to work together in the Bicentenary of Peru’s independence, which will take place this July 28, the day the new ruler will take office,” he concluded.