Peru's President: We won't modify the electoral schedule

Photo: ANDINA/Presidency of the Republic

13:00 | Lima, Dec. 5.

The President of the Republic Francisco Sagasti on Saturday assured that the Executive Branch will not interfere in the electoral process currently underway. Thus, it will not modify the schedule of the general elections set for April 11, 2021.

"We already have an electoral calendar, we already have a whole process underway, and we will not modify that," he said in remarks to RPP radio and TV station.

Within this framework, the Head of State affirmed that electoral authorities —such as the National Election Board (JNE), the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE), and the National Registry of Identification and Civil Status (RENIEC)— are autonomous and their work will not be interfered in any way nor will any attempt be made to change the date.

"The Executive Branch will not interfere in this electoral process," he expressed.

In this sense, the top official stated that budget support was provided to all electoral entities, with a view to holding free, clean, and safe elections —all in a context characterized by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Tripling or quadrupling the number of polling stations is very expensive. Therefore, when it comes to raising the budget, we see that if we want clean elections, we must support ONPE's budget. This is an absolute priority, because it is a way of restoring citizens' trust (…)," he said.

The statesman explained that —in order to obtain these resources— "very difficult and tough" decisions had to be made with the aim of allocating resources in favor of the electoral process.

The Peruvian leader also specified that he is preparing a very clear guideline for all public officials to maintain neutrality during the current electoral process.

Mr. Sagasti —who became President of the Republic on November 17 to replace resigning Manuel Merino— is set to leave office on July 28, 2021.

Presidente @FSagasti: Hemos dado una directiva para que los funcionarios públicos del Ejecutivo mantengan la neutralidad con respecto a las elecciones generales. La @ONPE_oficial y el @ReniecPeru, organismos autónomos, ya tienen un calendario electoral, no podemos modificar eso. pic.twitter.com/GNc7r9JGvi
— Presidencia Perú (@presidenciaperu) December 5, 2020

(END) JCC/VVS/MVB

Published: 12/5/2020

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Peru's President: We won't modify the electoral schedule

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