Voting Day: Peru's Political Circus

Today is election day in Peru, and in Lima that means that all of the almost 9 million residents will drag themselves to their polling place to fulfill their civic duty. Elections in Peru are compulsory, and those who can't or don't vote are slapped with a fine of S/. 74, or around $25. Though the amount of the fine is trivial, waiting in line to pay it at the Banco de la Nacion is punishment enough.

People wait in line at the Banco de la Nacion

What are the people voting for today? A handful of city councilmen who will serve for less than 4 months, when a new election will be held. Many ballots today will be left blank or purposely spoiled with drawings - the only way for Peruvians to express their contempt of the political system here while avoiding a fine. However, if more than two thirds of the votes are left blank or spoiled, the election results will be voided and new elections held – a strong disincentive for many voters, as no one wants to repeat this process.

The election will cost the city around S/.100 million ($40 million) – that's S/. 4.5 million soles per councilman, or over S/. 1 million per councilman per month served. This in a country that has a GINI coefficient of almost 50, making Peru more unequal than Mali, Pakistan, Russia, and Burkina Faso, to name a few.

In addition, the Peruvian transit system is not set up to handle all the extra traffic, which means huge traffic jams, packed buses, and a sea of miserable people who would rather be anywhere else on what for many is their one day off in the week.

To add insult to injury, in order to ensure "fair" elections, Peru has a ley seca, or "dry law," meaning alcoholic drinks cannot be sold to the public from 48 hours prior to election day until noon of the day after. While I understand the intent of the law, I believe that 48 hours is excessive, and I don't understand why people can't buy a beer after voting. Sheesh, at least give them that!

Translation: With the candidates we've got, you need liquid courage to go vote

Peruvian elections are a joke anyway, and this one is no exception. Peru has a long and well-documented history of political scandals, nepotism, corruption, and trying to buy votes with public works (whose contracts often go to companies owned by friends or family of the politicians) and passing out free food to the poor (these donations abruptly cease after elections are over). The Peruvian people have no faith in their politicians or political system, and why should they? In the last presidential election, the daughter of Alberto Fujimori, the ex-president currently serving 25 years in prison for human rights violations, was only narrowly defeated by current president Ollanta Humala. Another ex-president, Alan Garcia was re-elected for a second term despite a disastrous first term marked by extreme inflation (leading to the national currency being replaced twice), soaring poverty, and human rights violations. Every week, a new scandal surfaces. In addition, congressmen earn around S/. 17,000 (over $6k) every month, aside from other income garnished from pet projects or outright corruption. Compare this to the minimum wage of S/.750 ($250).

Is there hope for Peru? I don't know, but as long as the status quo is maintained, I wouldn't hold my breath.