What happens if for reasons of force majeure you cannot participate in the elections, as a voter or polling station member? Depending on the case, you must process an excuse before the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) or a waiver or justification before the National Elections Jury to avoid paying fines.
A total of 500,000 people were elected polling station members for the 2022 Peru Regional and Municipal Elections (ERM) on October 2. They must be in charge of the electoral process to which a total of 24 million 760 thousand 62 Peruvians and foreigners have been summoned to elect the next regional governors, as well as provincial and district mayors for the next four years.
The position of polling station member is inalienable and voting is mandatory in Peru, but in the Organic Law of Elections there are some criteria that allow excuses, justification or a waiver in case of not being able to participate and, thus, avoid fines ranging from S/23 to S/230.
HOW DO YOU SUBMIT A JUSTIFICATION FOR NOT BEING A MEMBER OF THE TABLE OR A WAIVER FOR NOT GOING TO VOTE?
You can request a justification from the JNE if you did not comply with being a member of the polling station, or a waiver if you did not vote. The process begins the day after the election on October 2.
Requirements
- DNI or electronic DNI.
- Payment for processing fee: S/25.9 for failure to attend the installation of the polling station and S/25.9 for failure to vote.
- The payment for the processing fee is made at any Banco de la Nación agency at code 01465 or by virtual means through the portal https://pagalo.pe
- Depending on the reason for which you request a justification or waiver, there are a series of documents that you will need to present in a simple copy before the JNE.
WHAT ARE THE GROUNDS TO SUBMIT A JUSTIFICATION OR WAIVER?
You must attach the documents that demonstrate the reason for your absence.
- Citizens traveling abroad for academic studies.
- Citizens who leave the country to receive care for health reasons abroad.
- Natural or man-made disasters.
- Electoral roll error.
- Defects in the updating, organization and execution of electoral activities attributable to the entities of the Electoral System.
- Death of a direct family member.
- Prevented from exercising the right to vote and installation, in cases caused by electoral incidents.
- Physical, mental, sensory or intellectual disability.
- Lactation / Women in the gestation period (Applies only to grant the justification).
- Theft or loss of DNI/DNIe.
- Health.
- Prison (national territory or abroad).
- Force Majeure.
WHEN AND WHERE SHOULD I SUBMIT THE PROCEDURE FOR JUSTIFICATION AND/OR WAIVER TO THE JNE?
The day after the election date, you must start the virtual process. To do this, you must enter the Virtual Dispensing System – SIDVID. You can also go to the Table of In-person Parties of the JNE, the Decentralized Offices or the Special Electoral Juries during electoral times.
WHEN CAN I JUSTIFY MYSELF BEFORE ONPE FOR NOT BEING A MEMBER OF THE TABLE?
If for health reasons you cannot be a polling station member, you have up to 5 calendar days before the day of the election to submit your justification to the ONPE.
HOW DO I DO THE JUSTIFICATION PROCESS BEFORE THE ONPE FOR NOT BEING A MEMBER OF THE TABLE?
Requirements
- Form P2 – Excuse or Justification.
- Certificate issued by the health area or by the local doctor.
- If the procedure is carried out by a third person, they must carry a simple power of attorney.
- Proof of payment: S/12.60 (code 03837)
Procedure
It is face-to-face. Go to the Decentralized Office of Electoral Processes (ODPE) where you were drawn or to the central headquarters of the ONPE. Submit the requirements and proof of payment. The answer will be in one business day.
UNTIL WHEN IS THE DEADLINE TO PRESENT MY EXCUSE FOR NOT BEING A MEMBER OF THE TABLE?
After the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) published the final list of polling station members on August 15, the deadline was five days to present the excuses, that is, it expired on Monday, August 22.
REQUIREMENTS TO EXCUSE ME FROM BEING A MEMBER OF THE TABLE?
The excuse can only be made in writing, supported by instrumental evidence, up to five business days after the publication of the final list of polling station members. Take note of these data of what you must present:
- The request must be submitted up to five business days after the final publication of the list of polling station members.
- Copy of ID.
- Simple power of attorney (if presented by the representative).
- The request for an excuse can only be made in writing or virtually.
- The request must be supported with instrumental (documentary) evidence.
- The citizen must not register an electoral fine for omission to vote
- The documents that accredit the grounds for excuses must be written in the official language (Spanish). Otherwise, an official translation must be attached.
- Payment: S/ 12.60 (code 03836).
HOW DO I DO THE PROCESS TO EXCUSE ME FROM BEING A TABLE MEMBER?
- Go to the Decentralized Office of Electoral Processes (ODPE) where you were drawn or the ONPE headquarters in Lima.
- Submit the required documents
- Submit proof of payment (if applicable)
- If there are observations, you have 2 business days to add or correct your documentation.
- After one business day, return to the office where you presented the excuse to find out the result.
