Approximately 1.2 million Peruvians residing abroad, which represent about 5% of Peru's total electorate, are eligible to vote in the general elections to be held in April 2026.
According to Maruja Hermoza Castro, president of the Lima Centro 2 Special Electoral Board for citizens abroad, our compatriots abroad will elect two representatives and one senator to the next bicameral Congress to represent them.
"They have the opportunity to elect two representatives and one senator who will essentially address their needs, draft legislation, and regulate the needs of Peruvians abroad, which don't necessarily coincide with those we have within our country," she explained to the Andina News Agency.
She also stated that the Special Electoral Tribunal (JEE) under her leadership is processing candidate registration applications, as well as resolving challenges and appeals to guarantee the transparency of this process.
Furthermore, she detailed that of the more than 3.5 million Peruvians living abroad, 1,210,813 are over 18 years of age with registered addresses abroad and are eligible to vote.
Electoral Board
At another point, Maruja Hermoza stated that the creation of the Lima Centro 2 Special Electoral Board (JEE Lima Centro 2) for citizens abroad, for the first time during election periods, stems from the need to serve the large number of Peruvians residing in various countries around the world.
"That is why it is necessary to create this specialized board to administer electoral justice to these Peruvians, so that they feel supported and that their vote will be respected and reflected in the election results," she indicated.
This board will administer electoral justice at the first instance and oversee the legality of voting in the constituencies of Peruvians residing abroad, in order to guarantee the proper conduct of the upcoming elections.
According to the electoral authority, their role is fundamental given that not all countries have a Peruvian consulate. She also pointed out that Peruvians residing in some distant or large countries, such as the United States, face difficulties traveling to exercise their right to vote.
"The polling places where voters must go will be announced through the various channels of the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) and the National Elections Board," she stated.
Also, she said that the Lima Centro 2 Special Electoral Board (JEE Lima Centro 2) is coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Peruvian embassies abroad to reduce voter absenteeism among Peruvians living overseas.
"We are coordinating and conducting information campaigns to promote informed voting so that Peruvians abroad are aware of the process. They are urged to receive information through official channels so they can exercise their right to vote without any problems," she affirmed.
As a reminder, in the upcoming general elections, Peruvians will elect the president of the republic, two vice presidents, 130 members of the Chamber of Deputies, and 60 senators, who will make up the next bicameral Congress.
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Publicado: 31/12/2025