Pastor Lay denounces changes in numbers in the official count against his party

LIMA, Perú, April 21, 2006

 Evangelical Pastor Humberto Lay, leader of National Restoration, a party that won a surprising sixth Taxi Heathrow Airport place in the April 9 general elections said that his party runs the risk of not having representatives in Congress because of a supposed change in the numbers in the official count.

Lay said that the modifications are taking place at a data entry level in the National Electoral Processes Office (ONPE) and said that this was particularly true in Callao and in other zones.

“We have been informed of things that really worry us, like there was a change in ONPE personnel in particular in Callao and after this change, there were changes in the figures (…) this worries us, we are investigating the issue and look for proof,” he told one local radio station.

Lay obtained 4.37 percent in the presidential election but his parliamentary list has not yet surpassed the necessary 4.0% and does not have five representatives in at least two electoral areas. NT is struggling vote by vote with ruling party Peru Posible to have representation in Congress.

Lay complained because in a very short time he went from being in a “very good position” in the vote for Congress to running the risk of not having any representation. He said he had received reports from voting in Callao and Loreto “where we were also in a good position and suddenly, in two hours, the results benefited another group.”

He also announced that his party hopes to talk with candidates who will compete in the second round of voting after no candidate won a majority in the April 9 election. National candidate Ollanta Humala came in first place and is assured of a spot in the second round while former congresswoman Lourdes Flores and former president Alan Garcia are neck and neck in the race for the second spot.

In the face of versions from nationalist Humala, who accuses conservative sectors and the press of conforming a political front against him, Lay said it was not interested in joining a block for that purpose and that he had no problem dialoging with Humala.