Peru’s general election on Sunday was marked by polling delays and early uncertainty, as voters cast ballots to elect a new president and Congress from a highly fragmented field of more than 30 candidates.

Preliminary official results from the electoral body National Office of Electoral Processes showed conservative candidate Keiko Fujimori narrowly leading with 17.17% of the vote, closely followed by right-wing former Lima mayor Rafael López Aliaga with 16.97%, with around 37% of ballots counted.

Earlier exit polls had also placed Fujimori in front, though López Aliaga briefly overtook her during the initial count, highlighting the volatility of the race. Fujimori is the daughter of former president Alberto Fujimori, whose legacy remains controversial due to human rights abuses.

With no candidate expected to secure the 50% needed for an outright win, a runoff election scheduled for June 7 now appears likely, potentially prolonging political uncertainty in the Andean nation.

Voting disruptions were reported in parts of the capital Lima, where delays in opening polling stations were linked to logistical issues involving a contractor responsible for distributing electoral materials. Authorities extended voting hours until Monday evening to allow more than 50,000 affected voters to cast their ballots.

Roberto Burneo, head of the electoral authority JNE, said legal action would be taken against the company responsible for the delays.

Frustration among voters was evident. Margarita Sandoval, 35, said she waited for two hours at a polling station in Chorrillos without being able to vote. “I have to work and I can’t vote. These elections are a disaster,” she said.

Peru has faced years of political instability, cycling through eight presidents since 2018 due to impeachments, corruption scandals, and weak coalitions. Analysts say public distrust in political institutions remains high.

“The public strongly resents the current Congress and holds it responsible for the ongoing political chaos,” said Martin Cassinelli.

The crowded candidate field spans a wide ideological spectrum, including conservatives, centrists, and outsiders. Fujimori, making her fourth presidential bid, has campaigned on restoring order and economic stability, while López Aliaga has promoted an ultra-conservative platform.

Other notable candidates include center-left politician Jorge Nieto, who secured around 14.1% of the vote, and former Lima mayor Ricardo Belmont, who saw a late surge in support.

Rising crime, fueled by drug trafficking and illegal mining, has dominated the campaign, with most leading candidates proposing a greater role for the armed forces in maintaining internal security.

The election also carries geopolitical significance, as Peru balances its growing economic ties with China—its largest trading partner—with relations with the United States, which has recently increased its diplomatic engagement.

Whoever advances to the runoff will face a deeply divided Congress and a newly reinstated Senate, raising concerns about governance challenges and the risk of further political instability.