Peru's National Elections Jury (JNE) will decide together with political organizations whether candidates running for first deputy mayor can take part in debates ahead of the regional and municipal elections on October 4, a decision that will also determine whether Rafael López Aliaga, who is running for first deputy mayor of Metropolitan Lima, can participate.
Carlos Vilela, the JNE's national director of education, told Canal N that coordination meetings with representatives of political groups will begin on September 7 to set the methodology for the debates, choose moderators and decide who will take part.
López Aliaga case to be discussed
Vilela confirmed that the request from the Renovación Popular party for López Aliaga to take part in the Metropolitan Lima debates will be included in the coordination meetings. He invited representatives of the party to join the discussions and present their proposal.
Vilela did not rule out that the political groups could agree on a formula allowing first deputy mayor candidates to take part in the debates, or that it could ultimately be decided that these debates are reserved only for mayoral candidates.
JNE to organize 25 debates
The JNE will organize 25 debates with candidates for regional governor as part of its activities ahead of the October 4 elections. The sessions will begin on September 8 in Junín and will conclude with two debates for Metropolitan Lima, scheduled for September 21 and 22.
Vilela said the debates are meant to give citizens information about the candidates' government plans and proposals before they vote.
The debates will take place across all 25 regions of Peru. In jurisdictions with a larger number of candidates, two-day sessions will be held to ensure all candidates and their proposals can be presented.
Vilela said the jurisdictions with two dates include Metropolitan Lima, Lima Provinces, Piura and Lambayeque, because of the number of candidates registered there.
Debates begin September 8
The JNE said the debates can be followed through its digital platforms and other media outlets, and that recordings will remain available afterward so citizens can review them.
The first debate will be held on September 8 in Junín. Sessions will continue in other regions from the following day, culminating in the two debates in Metropolitan Lima on September 21 and 22.
Vilela said the debates are part of the JNE's electoral education strategy and are meant to help citizens cast an informed and conscious vote in the 2026 regional and municipal elections.
The JNE's national director of education recalled that the electoral body has already organized dozens of debates in previous national election processes, and said he expects to replicate that experience in this year's regional and municipal elections.
