Andina

Peru's PM ratifies commitment to holding elections on April 11

Photo: ANDINA/Renato Pajuelo

Photo: ANDINA/Renato Pajuelo

17:47 | Lima, Jan. 20.

Peruvian Prime Minister Violeta Bermudez on Wednesday reaffirmed the Government's commitment to holding general elections on April 11, in accordance with the electoral schedule.


Within this framework, the high-ranking official recalled that a Council of State session was held last Monday under the leadership of President Francisco Sagasti, along with members of the three electoral entities: the National Registry of Identification and Civil Status (RENIEC), the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE), and the National Election Board (JNE).

"The electoral bodies are the ones which lead the electoral process; the issue of postponing the elections was not raised at any time. Besides, Peru will not be the only country in the world that holds elections in the context of a pandemic," she indicated.

In this sense, the Cabinet chief assured that the most important thing is to take all the necessary measures for the protection of people's health, adding that —at the Council of State session— the ONPE presented seven health security protocols for the electoral process.

"(This was done) in order to protect polling station members, male and female electors, and the personnel who guard the polling places (…)," she added.

Moreover, Bermudez announced that the Council of Ministers approved the payment of S/120 (about US$33) to each polling station member so that they can carry out their duties during election day on the first and second rounds.

"These elections will be held in the next few months; there will be 260,000 citizens in Peru and abroad who will be selected as polling station members," she concluded.


Remarks were made during a press conference.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Bermudez was joined by Ministers Pilar Mazzetti (Health) and Solangel Fernandez (Housing, Construction and Sanitation).

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Published: 1/20/2021