About the Election Observation Mission Peru 2026

This is the fifth time that the European Union has observed an electoral process in Peru, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to the country’s democratic process. Other missions were sent for elections in 2001, 2011, 2016 and 2020. EU EOMs aim to promote democracy and human rights in a framework of cooperation with third countries.

Peruvian authorities and civil society have reiterated that the presence of the EU EOM is an important and constructive contribution to the electoral process. 

EU Election Observation Missions are financed exclusively from European Union budgets.

Methodology

The EU EOM is guided by the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation adopted under the auspices of the United Nations in 2005 by various international bodies and entities involved in international election observation. 

Over the past 25 years, the European Union has deployed more than 200 election observation missions in some 75 countries on five continents and has developed a methodology based on the following principles:

• Comprehensive observation of electoral processes in accordance with international and regional obligations for democratic elections. 
• Absolute independence of the mission. 
• Non-interference in the electoral process. 
• Neutrality and impartiality of observers.
• Adherence to the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation, adopted at the United Nations in 2005.
• Respect of the Code of Conduct for international election observation and Peruvian legislation.

The EU EOM conducts a comprehensive analysis of the electoral process, based on long-term observation. To this end, observers meet with the Peruvian electoral and political authorities, the candidates, civil society organisations and the media in order to analyse various aspects, including:

• The legal framework and its application.
• The impartiality of the electoral administration. 
• The reliability and integrity of the voter register.
• The registration of parties and candidates.
• The conduct of the election campaign.
• The use of public resources during the campaign.
• Fairness of candidates’ access to the media.
• Respect for universal rights of freedom of expression and assembly.
• Voting, counting, tabulation.
• Appeals and complaints. 

EU EOM composition 

Annalisa Corrado from Italy is the Chief of the EU EOM. She has been a Member of the European Parliament since 2024. 

For Election Day, the mission will consist of more than 150 observers from European Union member states, Norway and Canada.

The Core Team arrived in Lima on 26 February and is composed of:

• A deputy chief of Mission
• A political analyst
• A legal analyst
• An election analyst 
• An election technology/data analyst
• A media analyst
• A social media analyst
• A press officer
• Two observer coordinators 

In the middle of March, this group will be joined by 50 long-term observers, who will be deployed across the country. In addition, 50 short-term observers, a delegation from the European Parliament and diplomats from EU member states accredited in Peru will join the mission shortly before election day. The mission will remain in Peru until the conclusion of the electoral process.

Findings of the Mission

The Mission does not comment on the election results, but rather assesses the entire electoral process. After Election Day, the mission will release a preliminary statement at a press conference in Lima.

A final report containing all the technical details will later be presented to the Peruvian government, electoral bodies, political parties, and civil society. The report will include recommendations for improving future electoral processes.