Students from Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP) participated in a training session on March 26 to prepare as electoral observers for the upcoming General Elections in 2026. The event was organized by the university’s Academic Directorate of Social Responsibility, with instruction provided by Asociación Civil Transparencia.
The preparation comes amid what Pilar Biggio, deputy secretary general of Transparencia, called “one of the most complex and challenging processes in republican history.” She said this is due to factors such as a high number of candidacies—36—and the return of a bicameral legislature after more than three decades. Biggio said, “The observers watch over everything during election day, from setting up polling stations to counting votes. For young people, participating in this role is key because they are not only voting but also getting involved in the electoral process.”
Dr. Iván Lanegra, head of PUCP’s Office of Current Affairs and Context, welcomed participants and highlighted that observing elections is not just volunteering but an opportunity for critical understanding. He said it helps ensure that all citizens—including people with disabilities, trans individuals, women, and others—can vote without harassment or discrimination: “As electoral observers, students will be able to guarantee that any citizen can vote without harassment or barriers.”
During the session, representatives from Transparencia explained key elements such as main actors in Peru’s electoral system (Jurado Nacional de Elecciones, Reniec and ONPE), which authorities will be elected on April 12th and how ballots are organized. They also clarified criteria for valid votes using practical examples and addressed student questions about ambiguous cases.
The workshop included detailed instructions on observation tasks like monitoring setup procedures at polling stations, documenting incidents objectively rather than intervening or deciding vote validity themselves. Students learned about shift assignments and protocols for reporting incidents so that Transparencia can systematically review them afterward.
Participants expressed their motivation to contribute positively to the election process through their new roles as observers. Consuelo Escobar stated her commitment stemmed from concerns about low civic engagement in her district: “I decided to sign up for this workshop as a way to show my commitment both to my country and community.” Lara Pajuelo described these initiatives as vital contributions toward ensuring transparency during complicated elections while Eliane Chachayma emphasized how independent oversight would help maintain clean results even if it meant working late into the night.
