Peru electoral agency asks prosecutors and police to probe irregular voter transfers

Peru's electoral registry Reniec has asked prosecutors, police, and the interior ministry to investigate potential irregular voter transfers, known as "voto golondrino," ahead of regional and municipal elections on October 4. Reniec chief Carmen Velarde filed the request following citizen complaints and digital platform alerts about alleged mass transfers of voters to specific districts, including via interprovincial buses, despite voters lacking effective residence there. Authorities were urged to strengthen controls on access routes and identify organizers, funders, or contractors involved. Priority alert zones include San Marcos district in Ancash, Pichari in Cusco, and areas in Cajamarca and Arequipa, where unusual increases in domicile procedures were detected. Reniec also noted it conducted 64,720 domicile verifications in March, leading to 38,496 voter registry restorations.