Peru

The Republic of Peru is democratic, social, independent, and sovereign. The State is one and indivisible. Its government is unitary, representative, decentralized, and organized according to the principle of separation of powers.

The territory of the Republic is made up of 25 regions, 24 departments, 196 provinces, and 1,890 districts, within whose boundaries the government is constituted and organized at the national, regional, and local levels, in accordance with the terms established by the Constitution and the law, preserving the unity and integrity of the State and the Nation (Article 189 of the Constitution of Peru). Local governments are basic entities of the territorial organization of the State and immediate channels for neighborhood participation in public affairs, which institutionalize and autonomously manage the interests of the corresponding communities; the territory, the population, and the organization are essential elements of local government. Municipalities are provincial or district-level.

The Legislative Power falls upon the Congress of the Republic, which is unicameral. The number of congresspeople is 130.

Provincial and district municipalities are local government bodies. The organizational structure of municipalities consists of the municipal council and the mayor's office. The municipal, provincial, and district councils are composed of the mayor and the number of councilors established by the National Elections Board, in accordance with the Municipal Elections Law. Municipal councils in populated centers are composed of a mayor and five councilors.

The presidential term is five years, and there is no immediate reelection. The Congress of the Republic is elected for a five-year term. Mayors and councilors are elected by direct vote for a four-year term.

The President of the Republic is elected by absolute majority. In multi-member elections, such as those for members of the Congress of the Republic, proportional representation is applied using the Distribution Figure method, with optional double preferential voting, except in electoral districts where fewer than two congressmen are elected, in which case there is only one optional preferential vote. In municipal elections, the Distribution Figure method is used, which is applied starting with number two on the list, provided that the winner obtains an absolute majority of valid votes. If there is no such majority, half plus one of the councilor positions are assigned to the candidate who obtains the first relative majority, rounded up to the nearest whole number. The Distribution Figure is applied to assign the remaining councilor positions among the other lists that obtain no less than 5% of the valid votes. In the event of a second round of voting, the number one candidate on the winning list and half plus one of the councilors from the same list shall be proclaimed mayor, rounded up to the nearest whole number. The remaining councilor positions shall be allocated by applying the Distribution Figure among the other lists according to the results of the first election.

The type of list for the election of representatives to the Congress of the Republic is closed and unblocked. In the case of regional and municipal elections, it is closed and blocked.

Elections are held on the basis of territorial constituencies in accordance with the law. Congresspeople are elected through the Multiple Electoral District system. It functions as a single-member district system for mayors and a multi-member district system for councilors.

Yes, Law No. 31030 of 2020 establishes parity and alternation in presidential tickets, candidacies for the Congress of the Republic, the Andean Parliament, regional governorships and vice-governorships, and regional council and councilor lists. It also requires that the participation of women and men in party leadership bodies be no less than 50%. In 2024, Law No. 31981 eliminated horizontal parity in regional governor and vice-governor tickets, as well as alternation in presidential tickets, while maintaining it for proportional representation lists.

Constitution of Peru, 1993 (includes amendments enacted in 2005) and Organic Municipalities Law.

The electoral system is made up of the National Elections Board, the National Office of Electoral Processes, and the National Registry of Identification and Civil Status. They act independently and coordinate with each other in accordance with their respective powers. The National Elections Board is responsible for overseeing the legality of the exercise of suffrage and the conduct of electoral processes, referendums, and other popular consultations, as well as for preparing electoral rolls; maintaining and safeguarding the registry of political organizations; ensuring compliance with the rules on political organizations and other provisions relating to electoral matters; administering justice in electoral matters; proclaiming the elected candidates and delivering the results of the referendum or other types of popular consultation and issuing the corresponding credentials.