(Updates with exit poll) By Marco Aquino and Marcelo Rochabrun LIMA/TACABAMBA, Peru, June 6 (Reuters) - Conservativecandidate Keiko Fujimori is slightly ahead of socialist rivalPedro Castillo in Peru's nail-biting presidential runoff,according to an Ipsos exit poll released on Sunday evening.
The statistical tie had Fujimori leading with 50.3% of thevote, while Castillo had 49.7%, within the margin of error ofplus or minus 3 percentage points, according to the poll. The results do not include overseas voters, who electoralofficials said could be key in swinging the results. Polls closed in the election at 7 p.m. (0000 GMT). A fastcount by Ipsos is due at 9:30 p.m. (0230 GMT on Monday), withthe first official results expected to start arriving at 11:30p.m. (0430 GMT). Millions voted on Sunday to pick between two candidatesespousing clashing ideologies in a close runoff that has deeplydivided voters along class and geographical lines. Opinion polls up to the day of the election showed astatistical dead heat, with Fujimori, who had earlier trailedleftist Pedro Castillo, pulling slightly ahead at the end ofcampaigning. Both have pledged vastly different remedies for rescuingPeru from the economic doldrums brought on by the COVID-19crisis. Fujimori, 46, the daughter of jailed former PresidentAlberto Fujimori, has pledged to follow the free-market modeland maintain economic stability in the world's second-largestcopper producer. Castillo, 51, a teacher, union leader and son of peasantfarmers, has promised to redraft the country's constitution tostrengthen the role of the state, take a larger portion ofprofits from mining firms and nationalize key industries. But with neither candidate having a clear lead in the polls,hints of possible electoral challenges by both camps and a deepmistrust of the political class generated by decades ofcorruption and instability could pose problems after theelection. Voting in the Lima district of Surco on Sunday afternoon,Fujimori noted a handful of allegations of doctored votingpapers discovered in the capital and the country ?s interior. "We know that there have been incidents today. We hope thatthe electoral bodies will take action on the matter andsanctions will be issued accordingly," she said. "I also expectour party officials to be on their guard." She praised the "grannies and grandpas" turning out to voteagainst a backdrop of a second wave of COVID-19 hitting thecountry and a slow start to the vaccination campaign. Castillo voted earlier in the day in his rural heartland ofthe northern Peruvian Andes, accompanied by a crowd ofsupporters chanting: "Yes we can!"
He previously warned against fraud in the election and saidhe would "be the first to summon the people" if he saw evidenceof foul play.
But he told crowds on Sunday he would respect the result,and hoped Peruvians would unify behind the successful candidate. "If we don't unite, we can't move the country forward,"Castillo said.
'FOR GOOD OF ALL PERUVIANS' In Lima, voters made their way to polling stations by bike,roller skates and on foot to avoid long traffic jams that builtup as the day progressed. Among those casting his vote in Lima was Luis Pizango, whosaid that for him, "transparency" was key to a successfulelection. "May Peru win for the good of all Peruvians," he said.
In polls, urban and higher-income citizens have indicated apreference for Fujimori, while the rural poor largely supportCastillo.
(Reporting by Marco Aquino in Lima and Marcelo Rochabrun inTacabamba; Additional reporting by Reuters TV; Writing byMarcelo Rochabrun and Aislinn Laing; Editing by Sonya Hepinstalland Peter Cooney)
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