Sawt Falasteen - Left-wing radical 'confident' after late surge in Peru presidential poll

With more than 90 percent of ballots now counted, partial official results showed Sanchez in second place, behind right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori.

His late rise appeared to be driven by strong support in Andean regions, where votes have taken longer to be processed.

"We are proceeding calmly, with composure, we are confident in the support of our people...The ballot papers do not lie," Sanchez said.

Sanchez edged past right-wing former Lima mayor Rafael Lopez Aliaga by a few hundredths of a percentage point.

Lopez Aliaga alleged fraud, without providing evidence.

He gathered hundreds of supporters outside Lima's Supreme Electoral Tribunal on Tuesday and gave authorities 24 hours to annul the election.

Sanchez defended the vote and called on "democratic forces and the international community" to monitor the count.

"These elections must be respected," he said.

Sanchez, a 57-year-old psychologist, said his government would push for a new constitution and power sharing with indigenous peoples.

"Were such proposals to advance, they would mark a fundamental shift in Peru’s policy regime" said Pablo Nano, an economist with Scotiabank.

Sanchez told AFP his policies reflected the wishes of lots of Peruvians.

"There is an immense desire for change" among marginalized communities, said the congressman and former minister under then president Pedro Castillo.

Castillo was elected in 2021 for a five-year term but lasted only 17 months.

Parliament removed him from office and he was later sentenced to more than 11 years in prison for rebellion.

"He will be released by our government, in accordance with the presidential prerogative that grants" the power to pardon him, Sanchez said, wearing a tall wide-brimmed straw hat reminiscent of Castillo.

More than 27 million voters were eligible to elect a president and members of parliament in Sunday's vote. Voting was compulsory.

G.AbuOdeh--SF-PST