No single organization had cleared the 30 percent threshold required by law
En nueve regiones del Perú, la voluntad popular volvió a expresarse el domingo 4 de diciembre de 2022, cuando ningún candidato había logrado en la primera vuelta el umbral mínimo del 30% exigido por la ley electoral. La fragmentación del voto reveló un electorado disperso entre múltiples fuerzas políticas, obligando a una segunda consulta que definiría quiénes gobernarían esos territorios durante los próximos años. En este proceso, la democracia no encontró su respuesta a la primera, sino que exigió una deliberación más profunda antes de otorgar el mandato.
- Ningún candidato superó el 30% en la primera vuelta en nueve regiones, lo que evidenció una ciudadanía políticamente fragmentada y sin consensos claros.
- La simultaneidad de nueve ballotages en un solo día representó un desafío logístico considerable para las autoridades electorales peruanas.
- La ONPE implementó un sistema de votación escalonada por número de DNI, edad y condición de salud para evitar aglomeraciones en los centros de sufragio.
- La 'ley seca' entró en vigor desde el sábado 3 de diciembre a las 8 a.m. hasta el lunes 5 a las 8 a.m., buscando garantizar un ambiente ordenado durante el proceso.
- Los resultados de estas elecciones redefinirían el liderazgo político regional en una porción significativa del territorio peruano.
El domingo 4 de diciembre de 2022, nueve regiones del Perú acudieron a las urnas en una segunda vuelta electoral para elegir a sus gobernadores y vicegobernadores. La necesidad del ballotage surgió porque en la primera ronda ninguna organización política había alcanzado el 30% de los votos requerido por la legislación electoral peruana. Las regiones convocadas fueron Amazonas, Cajamarca, Callao, Cusco, Lambayeque, Lima Provincias, Moquegua, Pasco y Piura.
Los ciudadanos debían concurrir a los mismos locales de votación utilizados en la primera vuelta. Para ordenar el flujo de electores, la ONPE estableció un horario escalonado: los votantes con DNI terminado en 1, 2, 3 o 4 podían sufragar entre las 7 a.m. y las 11 a.m., mientras que quienes tenían DNI terminado en 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 o 0 lo harían entre las 11 a.m. y las 5 p.m. Las personas mayores, embarazadas y con discapacidad o condiciones de salud vulnerables contaban con una ventana especial entre las 2 p.m. y las 5 p.m.
Cada región presentó una contienda directa entre dos candidatos. Entre los duelos más destacados figuraban Roger Guevara frente a Andrés Villar en Cajamarca, Werner Salcedo contra Edy Cuéllar en Cusco, y Reynaldo Hilbck ante Luis Neyra en Piura, entre otros pares en disputa a lo largo del país.
Paralelamente, las autoridades electorales aplicaron la 'ley seca', que prohibió la venta de bebidas alcohólicas desde las 8 a.m. del sábado 3 de diciembre hasta las 8 a.m. del lunes 5, en cumplimiento de la Ley Orgánica de Elecciones. La medida buscaba preservar el orden y garantizar condiciones adecuadas para el ejercicio del voto. Al cierre de la jornada, los resultados determinarían una nueva configuración del poder regional en una parte sustancial del territorio peruano.
Nine regions across Peru were heading to the polls on Sunday, December 4th, 2022, for a second round of voting that would determine their next governors and vice-governors. The runoff was necessary because in the first round of voting, no single political organization had managed to clear the 30 percent threshold required by Peruvian electoral law. The National Electoral Office, known by its Spanish acronym ONPE, confirmed that Amazonas, Cajamarca, Callao, Cusco, Lambayeque, Lima's provincial districts, Moquegua, Pasco, and Piura would all be conducting these decisive contests.
Voters were instructed to return to the same polling locations where they had cast their first-round ballots. The ONPE had organized a staggered voting schedule designed to prevent overcrowding at the polls and ensure orderly participation. Polling places would open at 7 a.m., but not everyone was expected to arrive at the same time. Elderly voters, pregnant women, and people with disabilities or health vulnerabilities were encouraged to vote between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. For the general population without such considerations, the schedule was determined by the final digit of their national identification number. Those whose ID ended in 1, 2, 3, or 4 could vote from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., while voters with IDs ending in 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 0 had the window from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The ballot in each region presented two competing candidates. In Amazonas, Gilmer Horna of Sentimiento Amazonense Regional faced off against Grimaldo Vásquez of the Movimiento Regional Victoria Amazonense. Cajamarca's contest pitted Roger Guevara of Somos Perú against Andrés Villar of the Frente Regional de Cajamarca. The Callao race featured Miguel Cordano representing Contigo Callao and Ciro Castillo of Movimiento Regional Más Callao. In Cusco, Werner Salcedo of Somos Perú competed against Edy Cuéllar of Movimiento Regional Inka Pachakuteq. Lambayeque saw Alexander Rodríguez of the Alianza para el Progreso facing Jorge Flores of Somos Perú. Lima's provincial regions had Rosa Vásquez of Unidad Cívica Lima running against José Bautista of Patria Joven. Moquegua's ballot included Jaime Rodríguez of Kausachun and Gilia Gutiérrez of Somos Perú. In Pasco, Zumel Trujillo of Pasco Verde competed with Juan Chombo of Somos Perú. Finally, Piura's voters chose between Reynaldo Hilbck of Unidad Regional and Luis Neyra of Contigo Región.
Beyond the voting logistics, Peru's electoral authorities had implemented what is known locally as "ley seca," or dry law—a restriction on alcohol sales that accompanies major electoral events. The National Electoral Jury had announced that these restrictions would take effect beginning Monday, November 28th, across all nine regions participating in the runoff. Under the Organic Law of Elections, no alcoholic beverages could be sold from 8 a.m. on Saturday, December 3rd, through 8 a.m. on Monday, December 5th. The measure was designed to maintain order and ensure voters could participate in a controlled environment.
The second-round elections represented the culmination of a competitive regional selection process. The fact that no candidate had exceeded the 30 percent threshold in the initial voting suggested that political preferences across these nine regions remained fragmented, with voters distributed across multiple parties and movements. The runoff format would force a direct choice between the two leading contenders in each region, effectively narrowing the field and producing a clear winner in each gubernatorial race. For Peru's regional governance, the results would reshape political leadership across a significant portion of the country.
Notable Quotes
Elderly voters, pregnant women, and people with disabilities were encouraged to vote between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.— ONPE voting guidelines
The Hearth Conversation Another angle on the story
Why did nine regions need a second round of voting instead of just accepting the first-round results?
Because Peruvian electoral law requires a candidate to clear 30 percent of the vote to win outright. When no one reaches that threshold, the top two finishers go to a runoff. It forces a majority decision rather than letting someone win with a fragmented plurality.
The staggered voting times seem complicated. Why not just let everyone vote whenever they want?
It's crowd management, really. If all 2 million voters in these nine regions showed up at 7 a.m., the lines would be impossible. By spreading people across the day based on demographics and ID numbers, they keep each polling place manageable. It also gives vulnerable voters—the elderly, pregnant women, people with disabilities—a quieter window to vote without the crush.
I notice Somos Perú appears in almost every region's runoff. Is that party unusually strong?
It's more that they were competitive everywhere in the first round. They made it to the second round in five of the nine regions—Cajamarca, Cusco, Lambayeque, Moquegua, and Pasco. That suggests they had broad appeal, even if they didn't dominate anywhere.
What's the significance of the alcohol ban starting on a Monday but extending through Monday morning?
It's about creating a controlled period around the election itself. The ban began November 28th to prevent campaigning fueled by alcohol in the days leading up to voting. It stays in place through Monday morning to keep things calm on election day and the night after, when results are being counted and announced. It's a traditional safeguard in many countries.
Do these regional elections matter much to national politics?
Absolutely. Regional governors control significant budgets and resources. They also serve as political training grounds and power bases. A strong showing in these nine regions can position a party or movement for national influence later. These aren't minor races.