Peru's government, led since July 28 by right-wing President Keiko Fujimori, has authorized the transfer of 99.7 million soles (about $29.4 million) to fund regional and municipal elections set for October 4, official sources said Sunday.
The measure was formalized in a decree published in the official gazette El Peruano. It said the National Elections Jury (JNE), Peru's top electoral body, will receive 15.6 million soles ($4.6 million), while the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE), which organizes the vote, will get 84.1 million soles ($24.8 million).
The decree said the funds come from the Economy and Finance Ministry's contingency reserve, under the 2026 public budget law. It was signed by Fujimori and Economy and Finance Minister Elmer Cuba.
Funding shortfall warning
The budget followed warnings in early July from Peru's electoral authorities that the October vote was at risk due to a lack of funding from the executive branch. JNE president Roberto Burneo said at the time that the situation was very concerning, since officials had spent months seeking the necessary funds but still faced a deficit of 589.52 million soles ($173.4 million).
The transitional government led by lawmaker Jose Maria Balcazar responded that guaranteeing the normal conduct of the October elections was its main priority, while noting it would keep providing funds in line with fiscal responsibility and sustainability rules.
What's on the ballot
Peruvians will vote October 4 for 25 regional governors and vice governors, 364 regional councilors, 196 provincial mayors, 1,696 district mayors, 1,724 provincial councilors and 9,118 district councilors. The vote closes an election year that began with general elections in April and continued with a presidential runoff in June, in which Fujimori was elected president for the 2026-2031 term.
