Peru’s 2026 general election cycle has been marked by unexpected tragedies and growing tensions over the integrity of the vote counting process. As the nation processes the results of the elections held on April 12, reports have emerged alleging discrepancies in the official tallies, specifically concerning the votes for candidate Rafael López Aliaga.
The controversy centers on claims that video evidence shows votes cast in favor of Rafael López Aliaga are not appearing in the official count. While López Aliaga has been positioned at the forefront of voting intentions in various polls, these recent allegations of missing votes have added a layer of volatility to an already complex political landscape.
Adding to the unusual nature of this election is the case of Napoleón Becerra, a presidential candidate who continued to receive votes despite his death shortly before the polls opened. Becerra, the 61-year-old president of the Workers and Entrepreneurs Party (PTE), died in a car accident near the city of Ayacucho in southern Peru on Sunday, March 15, 2026 according to local authorities.
The death of Becerra occurred when the vehicle he was traveling in overturned while he was heading to a campaign event. Balvin Huamani, the mayor of the Pilpichaca district, confirmed the candidate’s death after transporting him to a health center via reports to broadcaster RPP. The National Elections Court (JNE) issued a statement mourning Becerra and wishing for the recovery of three injured companions.
Discrepancies in the Official Vote Count
The primary focus for observers and political analysts now shifts to the transparency of the counting process. The allegation that video evidence proves votes for Rafael López Aliaga are missing from the official record suggests a potential breakdown in the chain of custody or data entry between the polling stations and the central counting authority.
In high-stakes elections, the gap between unofficial “quick counts” or campaign-led tallies and the official results can lead to significant civil unrest. For a candidate like López Aliaga, who has maintained a strong lead in voting intentions, any perceived systemic erasure of votes could be interpreted as an attempt to manipulate the final outcome of the presidential race.
The impact of these discrepancies is not merely mathematical but political. When evidence—such as video recordings of tally sheets—contradicts official digital reports, it undermines public trust in the National Elections Court (JNE) and the overall democratic process. The demand for a thorough audit of the actas (tally sheets) is likely to intensify as the campaign teams review the data.
The Anomalous Case of Napoleón Becerra
While the López Aliaga controversy involves the alleged loss of votes, the case of Napoleón Becerra involves the unexpected gain of votes after death. Becerra was one of more than 30 candidates competing for the presidency in the April 12 elections as confirmed by his party’s registration.
Because his death occurred on March 15, and the elections took place on April 12, his name remained on the ballot. This led to a surreal statistical outcome where a deceased candidate outperformed living opponents. Reports indicate that Becerra managed to secure more than 6,000 votes after 53% of the actas had been processed.
This phenomenon highlights a critical gap in electoral law regarding the timely removal of candidates who are no longer eligible to serve. The fact that Becerra’s posthumous vote count exceeded that of other active candidates, such as Carlos Jaico—who reportedly finished last with 0.05% of the vote—underscores the chaotic nature of the 2026 contest.
Comparison of Candidate Outcomes
| Candidate | Status/Issue | Reported Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Rafael López Aliaga | Alleged Vote Loss | Video evidence claims votes are missing from official count. |
| Napoleón Becerra | Deceased Candidate | Received over 6,000 votes despite dying on March 15. |
| Carlos Jaico | Low Support | Reportedly last place with 0.05% of the vote. |
What This Means for Peru’s Political Stability
The combination of alleged fraud and the statistical anomaly of a deceased candidate receiving thousands of votes creates a volatile environment. For the global community, these events serve as a case study in the challenges of managing multi-candidate elections in regions with historical political instability.
The stakeholders affected by these developments include:
- The National Elections Court (JNE): Now facing pressure to explain the discrepancies and justify the inclusion of a deceased candidate on the ballot.
- Voters: Who may feel their democratic expression has been invalidated if the “missing votes” claims are proven true.
- The Candidates: Specifically Rafael López Aliaga, whose campaign may seek legal recourse to ensure every vote is counted.
The resolution of these disputes will likely depend on whether the JNE allows for a transparent, third-party audit of the physical tally sheets against the digital records. In the interim, the presence of “ghost votes” for Becerra and “missing votes” for Aliaga provides ample fuel for political polarization.
The next critical checkpoint will be the final certification of the election results by the National Elections Court, which will determine if the reported discrepancies are sufficient to trigger a recount or a legal challenge to the validity of the results.
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