For the first time,
primary elections in Peru will select candidates who will be competing for 2 seats in Congress to represent Peruvians living abroad, said Jose Villalobos, expert on electoral matters.
Until the last elections, representatives of Peruvians abroad were selected among the candidates for the electoral district of Lima Metropolitan Area.
"An electoral district for Peruvians abroad has been established, which means all Peruvian nationals living overseas —that is, more than one million people— will be able to elect their representatives during the elections slated for April next year.
According to Villalobos, the 24 political parties holding primary elections today have nominated four potential candidates who will compete to be nominated as Congress candidates in the electoral district for Peruvians abroad.
The expert noted that Peruvians abroad —as well as their concerns and interests— are important, and this should be reflected in Congress because lawmakers respond to their constituents.
In the 2021 elections, the seats for representatives of Peruvians living abroad shall be awarded to the two most voted candidates for such electoral district, based on the electoral quotient.
Transparency
Villalobos highlighted that the participation of electoral bodies in primary elections —for the first time— guarantees the transparency of this electoral process.
Primaries, he explained, used to be supervised by the electoral bodies of each political party, which administered the electoral process and resolved the observations.
He said, however, that as long as various lists or candidates are nominated in primary elections, increased competition can be secured.
(END) FHG/CVC/RMB
Published: 11/29/2020