Peruvian Presidential Election Features 35 Candidates Amid Crime Surge
Peru is preparing for a presidential election with an unprecedented 35 candidates vying for the position. The election, scheduled for Sunday, comes at a time of heightened crime and corruption, which has led to widespread voter dissatisfaction. Among the candidates are a former minister, a comedian, and a political heiress. The election is taking place against a backdrop of increased violent crime, with homicides doubling and extortion cases rising fivefold over the past decade. Voting is mandatory for Peruvians aged 18 to 70, with over 27 million registered voters. A candidate must secure more than 50% of the votes to win outright, but a runoff in June is likely due to the divided electorate. Key candidates include Keiko Fujimori, who is making her fourth presidential bid, and Rafael López Aliaga, a former mayor of Lima. Both have proposed tough measures to combat crime. 
