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der=0 cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 width=100%> Toledo withdraws from election
MAY 23, 2000

Presidential candidate Alejandro Toledo has pulled out of Peru's upcoming run-off election. Citing fraud by the Alberto Fujimori administration, Toledo on Monday filed a letter with the National Election Board officially withdrawing from the May 28th election.

The Board said the election would go foward without Toledo, guaranteeing incumbent Fujmori victory.

Voting is obligatory by law and punishable by a fine. Although collection of fines has been rare in the past, the Board began publicizing that they would enforce the fines.

Last week, Toledo had called for a postponement until June 18, but the Board denied his request on May 18th. Fujimori said the Constitution requires a run-off within 30 days after the final results of the first were accepted.

The run-off was scheduled by government officials after last month's election failed to see any candidate receive over 50 percent of the vote as required by law. Allegations of irregularities and tampering by the Fujimori adminstration led to social unrest in the days following the April 9th election.

On Monday, the Organization of American States (OAS) announced it would stop monitoring the election due to problems in the election software. Over the weekend, the Election Board said the software was ready but the Peruvian newspapers El Comercio and La Republica both reported that the OAS observed serious problems with the system.

Final results in the first round mysteriously reported 1 million more ballots than there were voters. International pressure, including threatened economic sanctions from the United States, helped contribute to the declaration of a run-off.

Despite having a majority population of Indian descent, the country has never had an Indian president. Toledo's campaign has marketed on his image as a "Rebel Indian."

Political analyst Eduardo Toche told La Republica that an election with only Fujimori would lead to a political crisis and an atmosphere of violence.

Indianz.Com Peru Elections Coverage:
Toledo pulls out of election (Global 05/19)
Wife woos women voters (Global 05/17)
Observers critical of second Peru election (Global 05/16)
The 'Rebel Indian' campaigns (Global 05/04)
US Warns Peru (Global 04/26)
Peruvians appreciate US pressure (Global 04/14)
Officials in Peru announce run-off (Global 04/13)
Peruvians protest Fujimori (Global 04/12)
Suspected ballot fraud in Peru (Global 04/11)
Elections in Peru: Not over yet (Global 04/10)
On the campaign trail in Peru (Global 04/04)

Relevant Links:
The National Election Board: www.onpe.gob.pe
The Organization of American States: www.oas.org
El Comercio: www.elcomercioperu.com
La Republica: www.larepublica.com.pe

Staff and news wires contributed to this report.