Voting has closed in Peru’s presidential and legislative elections, with no clear frontrunner amid years of political instability hampering the country’s democratic institutions.
There are some 27 million eligible voters who voted to elect the country’s ninth leader in less than a decade, with polling stations across the country opening at 7 am (12:00 GMT) and closing at 5 pm (22:00 GMT), and preliminary results expected shortly afterwards.
With 35 candidates in the fray, Peruvians had the option to choose from a wide range of potential leaders, including a comedian and media personality and some political heirs.
As per early exit polls, right-leaning candidate Keiko Fujimori is leading the race with 16.6 per cent, followed by leftist candidate Roberto Sanchez with 12.1 per cent, and centre-leftist Ricardo Belmont with 11.8 per cent.
According to the Peruvian constitution, if no candidate gets an absolute majority, the two most-voted candidates will advance to a second round, which is likely to take place on June 7.
Peru has seen eight presidents in recent years, with a high turnover rate marred by repeated impeachments and corruption scandals leading to the collapse of elected governments.
Besides, voters in this election are also asked to elect the members of a bicameral Congress for the first time in more than 30 years, following recent legislative reforms that concentrate significant power in the new upper chamber.
Also read: US warns Peru may lose its sovereignty to China
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