Peru's ONPE Says 2026 Regional Elections Safe After Staff Resignation and Accusation Dispute

The Oficina Nacional de Procesos Electorales (ONPE) announced that the regional and municipal elections scheduled for 4 October 2026 will proceed on schedule and face no operational risk, according to interim head Bernardo Pachas. Pachas rejected former secretary‑general Elar Juan Bolaños’s allegations of irregularities in public procurement and the agency’s IT systems, stating the resignation was not accepted and the official was dismissed. ONPE sealed the computers used by Bolaños and referred the matter to the public prosecutor for possible criminal action while also launching an internal disciplinary review.

A public competition to choose the next ONPE chief saw finalist Amparo Ortega withdraw for personal reasons, leaving Carlos Martín Loyola as the sole remaining candidate, expected to be proclaimed in early July. Additionally, ONPE conducted the electoral‑strip draw in Tacna, involving 41 political organisations, with the free media franja electoral set to begin on 5 August. No procurement contracts for the elections have yet been awarded; guidelines for essential supplies have been approved and tenders are slated for August under the oversight of the Contraloría General.

These steps aim to assure transparency and continuity as Peru prepares for its 2026 sub‑national elections.