The delivery of reports is a way of being accountable to the citizens, recalled the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) by extending the deadline for these documents to be sent until last September 16. However, the reports presented by the candidates to the mayor of Metropolitan Lima They leave more questions than answers.
In The Claridad portal of the ONPE contains the reports of the candidates who will compete for the metropolitan chair this Sunday: Daniel Urresti (Podemos), Rafael López Aliaga (Popular Renovation), George Forsyth (Somos Perú), Gonzalo Alegría (Together for Peru), Elizabeth León (Hope Front), Yuri Castro (Free Peru) and Omar Chehade ( Alliance for Progress).
Total they moved S/ 817,167.87. However, 80.4% of this amount (S/ 656,966.50) represents only the campaign expenses of López Aliaga, who has been investigated by the Money Laundering Prosecutor for allegedly participating in a corruption scheme in the Caja Metropolitan during the administration of former mayor Susana Villarán.
He is followed by Omar Chehade, who specifies that he collected S / 83,811 for the performance of a “dinner show”whose entry was around 385 soles.
In third place, according to the financial report, is Daniel Uresti, who destined 63,451.02 soles for his campaign. The candidate specifies that all the money was used to pay for advertising on Facebook. Despite the multiple visits to districts, no spending on mobility or physical advertising (flyers, poles, panels, etc.) is recorded.
To its turn, Gonzalo Joy declared contributions for 12,971.11 soles, but does not detail where the money comes from. The applicant for Together for Peru is limited only to specifying the amount and method of payment.
Elizabeth Leon continues, with 9,723.24 soles distributed in key rings, matches, calendars and fuel.
Finally, they meet George Forsyth Y Yuri Castro, who claim they do not have campaign income or expenses, despite having participated in proselytizing mobilizations in which propaganda material can be seen in favor of their candidacies for mayor of Lima.
sanctions
The specialist in electoral matters, José Manuel Villalobos, in dialogue with The Republic, asserted that the law requires only the presentation of the financial report.
In relation to the cases of Forsyth and Castro, he considers that “It is impossible” to believe that a candidate has not had campaign income or expenses, but maintains that the current norm does not regulate this section and that the ONPE does not have the logistical capacity to supervise all the candidates for aldermen, mayors and governors. Nacional level. “They continue to audit the previous process”said.
“Financial reporting is important for transparency because allows citizens to know, before the elections, how candidacies are financed”he pointed.
Meanwhile, the expert José Tello argues that it is the ONPE the entity in charge of determining if the candidates omitted to report any contribution in kind.
“You can present 0 income and 0 expenses. They would not be at fault as long as they present the report, that is real. But the veracity of the information recorded leads us to two scenarios: electoral infraction, for not having complied with reporting campaign contributions and expenses that can lead to a fine, and the criminal aspect, because a fiscal investigation could be opened in which it is determined there was or was not a crime, “Tello told this newsroom.
* Report published within the framework of the Specialization Course in Journalism and Politics (PUCP – International IDEA – Gustavo Mohme Llona Foundation).
