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2026 Peruvian general election

The 2026 Peruvian general election was held on 12–13 April 2026 to elect the president, vice presidents, and members of Congress.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The 2026 Peruvian general election was held on 12–13 April 2026 to elect the president, vice presidents, and members of Congress. Because no presidential candidate won a majority in the first round, a runoff was held on 7 June 2026, which was won by Keiko Fujimori over Roberto Sánchez.

Background

The election took place amid political instability, public frustration, and a crowded presidential field. Reports described a high number of candidates and low public confidence in institutions.

Electoral system

Peru elects its president using a two-round system. If no candidate receives a majority in the first round, the top two candidates advance to a runoff.

Campaign and first round

The first round drew more than 30 presidential candidates. Early counting suggested no clear winner, making a runoff likely from the outset.

Runoff and result

Keiko Fujimori and Roberto Sánchez advanced to the runoff. After the final count, Fujimori was declared the winner by a narrow margin.

Congressional elections

The parliamentary vote selected members of the new bicameral Congress. The legislature returned to having both a Senate and a Chamber of Deputies, the first such arrangement since 1990.

Key facts

  • Voting for the first round took place on 12–13 April 2026.
  • No candidate won more than 50% in the first round, so a runoff was required.
  • The runoff on 7 June 2026 was won by Keiko Fujimori.
  • The final tally was certified by Peru’s electoral authorities after all votes were counted.
  • The congressional election restored Peru’s legislature to a bicameral structure with a Senate and Chamber of Deputies.
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Canadian context

Canadian readers may be interested because Peru is an important Latin American partner for Canada, and political stability there can affect trade, investment, migration, and regional diplomacy.

Frequently asked questions

When was the 2026 Peruvian general election held?
The first round was held on 12–13 April 2026, and the presidential runoff was held on 7 June 2026.
Why was there a runoff?
No presidential candidate won more than 50% of the valid vote in the first round, so Peru’s two-round system required a runoff between the top two candidates.
Who won the presidential race?
Keiko Fujimori won the runoff against Roberto Sánchez after the final vote count was completed and certified.
What offices were contested?
Voters elected the president, vice presidents, and the Congress of the Republic of Peru.
What changed in Congress after the election?
The congressional election restored Peru’s legislature to a bicameral system, with both a Senate and a Chamber of Deputies.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Peruvian_general_election
    Supports: Election date, runoff, winner, runner-up, and bicameral congressional result.
  2. Reuters — https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/peruvians-vote-crowded-presidential-race-runoff-looms-2026-04-12/
    Supports: First-round election date, crowded field, and likelihood of runoff.
  3. NPR — https://www.npr.org/2026/05/18/g-s1-122536/peru-presidential-runoff
    Supports: Runoff qualification of Keiko Fujimori and Roberto Sánchez.
  4. Al Jazeera — https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/6/30/keiko-fujimori-leads-in-peruvian-presidential-race-as-vote-count-concludes
    Supports: Final tally showing Fujimori ahead and the margin of victory.
  5. ElectionGuide — https://www.electionguide.org/elections/id/5159/
    Supports: First-round date, no majority, and top two candidates.