Crisis in the Peruvian electoral system: the need for urgent reforms

The Peruvian electoral system has been the subject of criticism and questioning in recent times, especially regarding the way electoral processes are carried out and the adequacy of the institutions responsible for ensuring the transparency and legitimacy of the citizens' vote. Peruvian democracy, which should find its reason for being in the popular will expressed through the vote, is threatened by electoral manipulation and the opportunism of certain political actors who seek to take advantage of a system that presents clear deficiencies and vices. The lack of trust in electoral institutions such as Reniec, ONPE, and JNE, as well as in the current electoral law, has generated a climate of uncertainty and discontent among the population. The perception that the election results do not translate into fair and transparent political representation has led to a growing skepticism regarding democracy in the country. Political and social polarization, fueled by anti-vote strategies and confrontation between leaders and parties, has weakened democratic coexistence and prevented constructive dialogue among different political forces. This situation is exacerbated by the lack of a profound restructuring of the electoral system, which continues to operate in an opaque and obsolete manner. The president of the National Jury of Elections, Jorge Luis Salas Arenas, has been criticized for his role in controversial decisions that have jeopardized the country's democratic stability. His performance, along with that of other electoral authorities, has been criticized for lack of transparency and alleged manipulation of electoral processes in favor of certain political interests. In view of this situation, there is an evident need for a comprehensive reform of the Peruvian electoral system that guarantees impartiality, transparency, and legitimacy of electoral processes. The citizens cannot be led into a new game of chance where their rights and will are violated by interests unrelated to democracy. It is the responsibility of electoral authorities and the State as a whole to ensure that the citizens' vote is respected and that electoral results faithfully reflect the will of the population. Only through a profound reform of the electoral system will it be possible to regain trust in democracy and ensure fair and legitimate political representation for all Peruvians.