Peru set for lengthy count as presidential race too close to call.

Peru's presidential race is set for another drawn-out count after early results on Sunday (June 7) showed the race was too close to call. In a campaign focused on crime and the country's socio-economic divide, Peruvians chose between Keiko Fujimori, the daughter of hardline former President Alberto Fujimori, and leftist congressman Roberto Sanchez, who often campaigns wearing a cowboy hat and, like imprisoned former President Pedro Castillo, has strong support in rural areas.

Peruvian presidential candidate Roberto Sanchez greeted supporters from a balcony in Lima late on Sunday after the Ipsos quick count put him ahead of rival Keiko Fujimori in the 2026 runoff election with 50.3% of the vote to her 49.7%.

Sanchez told supporters that the quick count showed an "important lead" and said the result reaffirmed the will of Peruvians who wanted "democracy and justice." He also called for a presidential pardon that would free former President Pedro Castillo.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

LIMA, PERU (JUNE 7, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all) (NIGHT SHOTS)

1. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE ROBERTO SANCHEZ GREETING SUPPORTERS FROM BALCONY

2. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, ROBERTO SANCHEZ, SAYING:

"This day, this National Flag Day, this day of dignity, this day of the people, marks the beginning, brothers and sisters, of a turning point to end the mafia pact that has taken over our government."

Fujimori said there was no winner yet in Peru's presidential runoff and called for patience after an Ipsos quick count showed her trailing Roberto Sanchez by a razor-thin margin, according to the pollster. (6848 - PERU-ELECTION/FUJIMORI-REACTION)

LIMA, PERU (JUNE 7, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all) (NIGHT SHOTS)

3. VARIOUS OF SUPPORTERS OF PERUVIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE KEIKO FUJIMORI OUTSIDE THE VENUE WHERE SHE WILL ADDRESS THEM

4. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PERUVIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, KEIKO FUJIMORI, SAYING:

"As you have seen, based on the quick count we are in a statistical tie. So far there is no winner in this race, and that is why there will be long days ahead before we know the result. It would be irresponsible to define the outcome based on a sample such as the quick count, which uses around 1,000 tally sheets out of 90,000."

5. FUJIMORI GREETING SUPPORTERS

Polls closed in Peru at 5:00 p.m. local time on Sunday (June 7) as voters decided the country's next president in the 2026 runoff election between right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori of Fuerza Popular (Popular Strength) and left-wing rival Roberto Sanchez of Juntos por el Peru (Together for Peru). (6812 - PERU-ELECTION/POLLS CLOSING)

LIMA, PERU (JUNE 7, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

6. ELECTORAL OFFICIALS

7. POLL WORKER OPENING BOX AFTER POLLS CLOSED

Fujimori cast her ballot on Sunday in her fourth run for the Peruvian presidency, facing leftist rival Roberto Sanchez. (6745 - PERU-ELECTION/FUJIMORI-VOTE)

LIMA, PERU (JUNE 7, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

8. FUJIMORI GREETING POLLING STATION OFFICIALS / WALKING TO VOTING BOOTH

9. FUJIMORI WAVING TO PEOPLE / WALKING TO BALLOT BOX

10. VARIOUS OF FUJIMORI WAVING TO PEOPLE / CASTING BALLOT / SIGNING VOTER REGISTRATION FORM

11. VARIOUS OF FUJIMORI LEAVING POLLING STATION AND WAVING TO PEOPLE

12. VARIOUS OF FUJIMORI WAVING TO PEOPLE FROM VEHICLE

Sanchez cast his ballot on Sunday (June 7) in the country's runoff election. Speaking after voting, Sanchez urged all Peruvians to participate in the democratic process.

(6747 - PERU-ELECTION/SANCHEZ-VOTE)

LIMA, PERU (JUNE 7, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

13. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, ROBERTO SANCHEZ, SHOWING ID TO POLLING OFFICIALS

14. SANCHEZ AT VOTING BOOTH / SHOWING BALLOT

15. SANCHEZ CASTING BALLOT AND SIGNING VOTER REGISTRATION FORM

16. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, ROBERTO SANCHEZ, SAYING:

"In keeping with our democratic commitment, we have fulfilled our responsibility, and I urge all our fellow citizens to vote responsibly to save Peru and strengthen democracy. Let us respect the free vote and have the capacity to honour the agreements and the election results, always calling for democracy, justice, and social peace, and to move Peru forward."

Peruvian voters have told pollsters they are overwhelmingly concerned with crime. Rates of homicide and extortion have soared, leading to widespread protests and the ouster of former President Dina Boluarte. (6744 - PERU-ELECTION/POLLS OPENING-UPDATE)

LIMA, PERU (JUNE 7, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

17. VOTERS QUEUING AND POLLING OFFICIALS CHECKING BALLOTS

18. VOTER IN VOTING BOOTH AND PLACING VOTE IN BALLOT BOX

19. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VOTER, VICTOR CAVERO, SAYING:

"It is a very crucial day for our lives, the population of the country. For example, I am from San Borja, have a business background, and am right-wing. Nevertheless, under the circumstances of the excessive criminalization of the country, I find myself forced to vote against the right, against the supposed right, because it seems to me that it is a criminal organization."

20. EXTERIOR OF POLLING STATION

21. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VOTER, ERIC BEYA, SAYING:

"Certainly, in a world and in such a polarised vote, it is a bit complicated. The feelings are hard to process, but I still think that, whether it is one candidate or the other, hopefully they can reach a reconciliation and understand that, in the case of Peru, neither has even reached 30%. They have not really been the people chosen by broad representation. So understanding that, the right must open up a bit to dialogue with the left and the left must dialogue with the right."

22. PEOPLE AT POLLING STATION AND BANNER READING (Spanish): "Voting is your power to choose."