Peru's legal void as senator declines seat and election disputes rise

Constitutional lawyer and newly‑elected senator Carlos Mesía warned that Rafael López Aliaga's refusal to take up his Senate seat leaves a legal vacuum. Mesía said Congress or the National Jury of Elections (JNE) must clarify how the replacement, potentially Absalón Vázquez, would be installed before the Senate convenes, and highlighted the uncertainty over López Aliaga's concurrent bid for Lima's vice‑mayor position.

Former president of the Constitutional Court, Óscar Urviola, criticized presidential candidate Roberto Sánchez for refusing to recognise a possible Keiko Fujimori government and for alleging irregularities in overseas voting. Urviola defended the JNE's authority, stating no evidence of fraud was presented, that the vote‑certificate transport via diplomatic bags complies with law, and that Peruvian legislation does not allow a total recount. He also defended Chancellor Carlos Pareja against a constitutional complaint.