The political situation in Peru

Comedian and presidential daughter among Peru's election candidates

A total of 35 presidential candidates are on the ballot in Peru, which is going to the polls today, several media outlets report.

Among them is the conservative former congresswoman Keiko Fujimori, who is the daughter of Peru's former president Alberto Fujimori. She has promised tough action against rising crime, and wants to introduce anonymous judges and have imprisoned people work for food, among other things. This is the fourth time she is trying to become president.

Rafael López Aliaga, the ultra-conservative former mayor of Lima, is sometimes called the "Peruvian Trump". He has already made accusations of election fraud and sent death threats to the head of the electoral authority.

Another candidate is former comedian Carlos Álvarez. Among other things, he wants to introduce the death penalty for contract killings, even though Peru's constitution only allows the death penalty for treason and terrorism. He has become known in previous elections for imitating both domestic and foreign politicians.

Peru elects its ninth president in ten years

Today Peru goes to the polls. A total of 35 candidates are competing against each other in the hope of becoming the country's ninth president in just ten years, writes AP.

Over 27 million Peruvians are eligible to vote, and voting is mandatory for everyone between the ages of 18 and 70.

To win the election, a candidate needs more than 50 percent of the vote. But the election is not expected to be completed today - it is almost certain that a second round of voting will be required in June.

One of the major election issues is the rising violence, which has also led to widespread demonstrations. The number of murders has doubled in ten years, and during the same time, cases of extortion have increased fivefold.