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Peruvians head to the polls to vote in referendum

07:00 | Lima, Dec. 9.

Over 24 million Peruvians head to the polls today to vote in a referendum on constitutional reforms and to take part in the second round of their country's regional elections.

As is known, President Martin Vizcarra called a referendum to submit four political-justice reforms for public consultation.

The reforms were proposed by the Executive Branch and subsequently approved by Congress.

Said proposals address lawmakers' reelection, bicameral legislature, political parties' private financing, and a reform of the National Council of the Magistracy (CNM) —renamed National Justice Board.

However, Parliament made changes to the reform project envisaging the return of a bicameral legislature.

Below are the four referendum questions:

1. Do you approve the constitutional reform on the National Justice Board's composition and functions?

2. Do you approve the constitutional reform to regulate political parties' private financing?

3. Do you approve the constitutional reform to ban the immediate re-election of lawmakers?

4. Do you approve the constitutional reform to establish a bicameral parliamentary system at Congress?

The ballots for each question will be counted separately, so voters will have to tick each question separately as well.

As is known, the release of audios containing phone conversations that involved judges, entrepreneurs, and CNM members led to a scandal in the justice system.

Therefore, the Vizcarra administration intends to implement a positive change in Peru with these reforms.

Regional elections

On the other hand, voters will have to pick new governors and vice-governors the same day as part of the second round of regional elections.

The process will take place in 15 regions: Amazonas, Ancash, Apurimac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Cusco, Huanuco, Lima provinces, Madre de Dios, Pasco, Piura, San Martin, Tacna, and Tumbes.

It should be noted a second round is held —only at regional level— if no candidate receives 30% or more of the votes, which was the case for the past regional and local elections held on October 7.

Below is a list of candidates running for regional governors and the parties they stand for:

Tumbes

- Wilmer Florentino Dios Benites (Movimiento Independiente Regional Faena)

- Segismundo Cruces Ordinola (Democracia Directa)

Piura

- Santiago Enrique Paz Lopez (Region para Todos)

- Servando Garcia Correa (Movimiento Independiente Fuerza Regional)

Cajamarca

- Walter Benavides Gavidia (Alianza para el Progreso)

- Mesias Antonio Guevara Amasifuen (Accion Popular)

Amazonas

- Diogenes Celis Jimenez (Sentimiento Amazonense Regional)