Rafael López Aliaga remains candidate after JEE rejects exclusion requests

The Special Electoral Jury (JEE) of Lima Centro has rejected five requests to exclude Rafael López Aliaga from his candidacy as first councilman for the Renovación Popular party. The tribunal ruled that the challenges were filed past the legal deadline and that the arguments did not meet the specific legal grounds required for exclusion, such as criminal convictions or judicial disqualification.

The controversy stems from allegations of “disguised reelection.” Following the resignation of Luis Rubio from the mayoral candidacy, López Aliaga moved to the top of the list. Opponents argued this maneuver could allow him to bypass constitutional prohibitions against immediate reelection. However, the JEE determined the claims should have been filed as “tachas” (challenges) within three days of the list's admission, which had already passed.

Political reactions have been divided. Carlos Bruce, the Somos Perú candidate for Mayor of Lima, challenged López Aliaga to a debate to test his leadership. Meanwhile, Acción Popular candidate Alberto Tejada criticized the ruling, stating that while the decision follows the literal text of the law, it fails to honor the “spirit of the law” and creates inequity in the electoral process.