Sawt Falasteen - Peru votes in tight runoff as Fujimori makes fresh bid for power

Fujimori faces a tight presidential runoff against leftist Roberto Sanchez, after a campaign dominated by violent crime, extortion and anger at a political class that many voters blame for years of chaos.

The race remains highly competitive after an April first round marred by logistical failures, delayed polling stations and fraud allegations that added to distrust in Peru's battered institutions.

Polls show about a fifth of voters are undecided, and neither finalist built a strong backing in the first round, when they combined for less than 30 percent of the vote.

A final Ipsos pre-election poll showed Fujimori leading Sanchez by three percentage points -- close to the margin of error.

In Lima's San Juan de Lurigancho district, crime is top of voters' minds.

"We live in fear even to open the door... when our children go to school," said Epifania Almeyda, 47. "Here the police don’t show up."

Fujimori, 51, has run for president three times and lost each time. This fourth attempt may be her best chance yet.

- Legacy -

A former lawmaker and party leader, she shot to prominence when she became first lady at 19, after her mother broke with her father amid corruption scandals.

Alberto Fujimori's legacy still defines his daughter's political identity — and is both an asset and a liability.

He was hailed by supporters for defeating leftist insurgents and stabilizing the economy but later jailed for corruption and human rights abuses before his death in 2024.

With extortion rising and killings becoming more frequent, Fujimori is betting voters now want tough leadership.

"Today, when Peru is bleeding because of criminals and extortionists, what people are asking for is a Fujimori — here I am," she told AFP in an interview ahead of April's first-round vote.

She has pledged to deploy the military, toughen prisons and expel undocumented migrants within her first 100 days.

Her message has resonated in violence-hit districts like San Juan de Lurigancho, where she performed strongly in the first round.

There, bus driver Jacob Condor prepares for work with a prayer each morning, fearing he will be the target of extortion or violence.

"I'm afraid I won't come back," said the 33-year-old. "You go out to work in fear. A passenger gets on and they can shoot you from behind."

Transport businessman Julio Cesar Raurau is backing Fujimori to solve the problem.

"As her father defeated terrorism, she will defeat criminal organizations," he said.

- 'Radical change' -

Sanchez, a former minister and congressman, is campaigning as the candidate of poorer and rural Peruvians who feel excluded from power.

Backed by supporters of jailed ex-president Pedro Castillo, he has promised to shake up police leadership and rewrite laws he says favor criminal groups.

Sanchez argues Fujimori is part of the problem. Her party has exercised major influence in a fragmented Congress that has helped topple several presidents.

Some voters are driven by anger with politics as usual.

"We want radical change," said Oliver Cotera, a 50-year-old mototaxi driver who said several colleagues had recently been killed.

Cotera blamed "the political class" for insecurity and said he would vote for Sanchez because Fujimori "did nothing for the people."

Even voters on opposite sides agree that instability has helped criminal groups grow.

Peru has seen presidents fall in rapid succession, weakening institutions and the state's ability to respond.

Peru's economy has remained relatively stable, with steady growth and low inflation.

Whoever wins Sunday will face a divided Congress and a political system that has repeatedly broken presidents.

About 27 million Peruvians are eligible to vote. Polling stations open at 0700 local time (1200 GMT) and close ten hours later.

A.Suleiman--SF-PST