He has enjoyed a surge in popularity since his return from Colombia earlier this year. She had been in second place in opinion polls going into Sunday's election. A runoff round will be held within 30 days after election returns are final. Presidential candidate Alan Garcia, accompanied by his son Alan, speaks at his political headquarters before going to vote Indians make up 45 percent of Peru's 26 million inhabitants and 37 percent are of mixed Indian and white blood. No Indian or mestizo has been freely elected president in Peru's history, although several have come to power through military coups.
Today is a day of celebration for Peru.
Last April, Toledo finished second in the election that ultimately brought Alberto Fujimori a disputed third five-year term. Fujimori cruised to victory after Toledo withdrew his candidacy in protest over election irregularities. Fujimori fled to Japan in November and later resigned in the wake of a corruption scandal involving his former spy chief, Vladimiro Montesinos. Fujimori now lives in self-imposed exile in Japan, his ancestral homeland. Valentin Paniagua was sworn in as president later that month and is expected to serve until July 28, when the newly elected president will take office.