Chaos in Peru: Election Extended After Polling Stations Vanish, Protesters Demand New Vote

Chaos in Peru: Election Extended After Polling Stations Vanish, Protesters Demand New Vote Peru's presidential election descended into chaos this week, forcing authorities to extend voting for a second day after widespread logistical failures left citizens unable to cast ballots. The turmoil has now sparked street protests demanding the entire election be canceled and rerun. The National Election Authority announced the unprecedented extension following Sunday's vote, when countless polling stations failed to open or could not be found by voters, creating massive confusion and delays nationwide [127954]. The election, meant to choose a new president and congress, was thrown into disarray as officials scrambled to account for the missing stations. The voting process resumed on Monday in an attempt to allow all registered citizens to participate, but the damage to public trust was severe [127954]. By Tuesday, hundreds of protesters had gathered outside the main election office in Lima, chanting demands for a complete do-over of the presidential election [129338]. They and opposition groups argue the profound disruptions have irreparably compromised the vote's legitimacy. The National Electoral Tribunal now faces intense pressure as it oversees a slow and disputed ballot count [129338]. Early, unofficial results point to a tight race between front-runners Keiko Fujimori, daughter of a former president, and conservative businessman Rafael Lopez Aliaga [127954]. With the final outcome uncertain and public anger rising, Peru's political crisis is deepening by the day. Peru Election in Chaos: Protesters Demand New Vote Peru Extends Chaotic Election After Polling Stations Vanish