Coin toss decides mayoral election in Peru after two candidates receive exactly 671 votes

A mayoral election in Peru was decided by the toss of a coin after two candidates received exactly the same number of votes, leaving electoral authorities to rely on an unusual but legally recognised method to determine the winner.

According to an AFP report published on November 6, the unusual contest took place in Conima, a small district in Peru's Andean highlands near Lake Titicaca.

The coin toss ultimately favoured Rubén Quispe Capajaña of the Somos Perú party, who defeated his rival Salomino Mamani Quispe of País Para Todos despite both candidates securing 671 votes each.

According to an AFP report published on November 6, the unusual contest took place in Conima, a small district in Peru's Andean highlands near Lake Titicaca.

The coin toss ultimately favoured Rubén Quispe Capajaña of the Somos Perú party, who defeated his rival Salomino Mamani Quispe of País Para Todos despite both candidates securing 671 votes each.

The candidates had contested the municipal elections held on October 4. Official results from Peru's National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) showed that both secured 27.739 per cent of the valid votes, creating an exact tie.
With neither candidate emerging ahead, the Special Electoral Jury (JEE) of Huancané organised a public draw on November 4 to determine the winner.

An electoral official tossed a one-sol coin into the air, with the result favouring Quispe, who had selected the reverse side.