Ballots were being counted Sunday in Peruvian presidential elections destined for a run-off with no candidate able to fire up the crisis-weary nation, during its deadliest week of the Covid-19 pandemic to date.
Some 25 million people were eligible to vote — which is mandatory — the day after Peru reported its highest-ever daily toll in the pandemic.
With 16 percent of votes counted by early Monday, far-left labor unionist Pedro Castillo took a surprise lead among 18 candidates with 15.7 percent — much higher than polls had predicted but far short of the 51 percent required to avoid a run-off scheduled for June 6.
In second place was rightist economist Hernando de Soto with 14.4 percent, said the ONPE electoral office.
The two candidates with the most votes will contest the second round.
Almost a third of voters had declared themselves undecided ahead of what Ipsos Peru chief Alfredo Torres said was the country’s “most fragmented election” ever.
Many said they turned out, despite fear of infection, merely to avoid the fine of 88 sol (about $24) for not voting.
“We are afraid of getting infected, because this pandemic is terrible, but at the same time I have to vote,” Nancy Retamozo, 58, told AFP while queuing at a school in a Lima suburb.