The Special Electoral Jury (JEE) of Lima Este 1 declared the appeals presented by the congressman and presidential candidate inadmissible Roberto Sanchez and two of its workers after it was determined that they had violated the principle of electoral neutrality during the 2026 General Elections process.
The decision of the electoral body is based on complaints of proselytizing activities documented by the Cuarto Poder research program.
The inspection carried out by the JEE determined that, in November 2025, two collaborators from Sánchez’s congressional office, identified as Gian Marco Castillo Gómez and Ernesto Zunini Yerren, participated in political events with Together for Peru symbols outside the Barbadillo Penitentiary Establishment, in the district of Ate. The images that gave rise to the process were broadcast in a television report.
The JEE audit report concluded that these events could constitute a violation of the duty of electoral neutrality established in the Constitution, the Organic Law of Elections and the regulations issued by the National Elections Jury (JNE). The regulations prohibit authorities and public servants from carrying out acts that favor political parties or candidates during the electoral period, as well as from using public resources or state personnel for proselytizing purposes.
After learning of the report, Roberto Sánchez presented an appeal in which he maintained that the workers involved had unpaid licenses for the day of the event and that the activities carried out were private, without use of resources or state budget. However, the JEE considered that these arguments were not sufficient to reverse the initial decision and declared the appeals of both the legislator and the collaborators involved inadmissible.
The resolution of the JEE will be submitted for evaluation by the plenary session of the electoral body, which will determine if the infraction is confirmed and what administrative sanctions would apply in accordance with the Political Parties Law and the electoral regulations in force for the April 2026 elections.
The case once again puts on the table the duty of neutrality of public officials and legislators in an electoral context, and reinforces the vigilance of electoral entities against possible misuse of positions and resources for the benefit of political campaigns, while the calendar advances towards the general election.
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