On January 29, the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) carried out the national draw for polling station members for the 2026 General Elections, a key procedure to guarantee the transparency of the vote and the proper development of election day.
According to the electoral body, the draw will allow the designation of more than 820 thousand citizens throughout the country, who will be in charge of setting up the polling stations, conducting the voting, counting the votes and delivering the electoral records on election day.
This process takes on special relevance in the context of the 2026 Elections, marked by the return of bicamerality and one larger voting cardwhich will demand more efficient organization in voting locations.
How does the selection process begin?
The selection process starts from electoral rollon which the ONPE applies successive filters until obtaining a final list of 25 citizenswhich serves as the basis for the draw.
Among the criteria considered are the allowed age (between 18 and 65 years)the level of education and the exclusion of citizens who were already members of the table in previous processes or who present legal impedimentsin accordance with the Organic Law of Elections.
Public draw and table formation
With the final list of 25 citizens, each Decentralized Office of Electoral Processes (ODPE) perform a public drawwith the participation of representatives of the National Election Jury (JNE)he National Registry of Identification and Civil Status (Reniec)local authorities and a notary.
Using a ballot, the table members are chosen at random, following the following order:
- table president
- Secretary
- Third member
- Six substitute members, according to the order of departure
This procedure is replicated in all polling stations in each jurisdiction.
Three regular members and six substitutes
For the 2026 General Elections, each voting table will be made up of three regular members and six substitutes. The ONPE reported that the number of substitutes has doubled with the objective of ensuring the installation of the tables from 06:00 hours.
With this, it is sought that the election day begins punctually at 07:00 hours and develops without setbacks until the 5:00 p.m.allowing citizens to exercise their right to vote without delays.
Raffle for tables abroad
The giveaway also includes voting tables outside. For this process, a decentralized office of the ONPE is exclusively in charge of the foreign vote, using the information sent by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Publication of results and period of strikeouts
The provisional list of board members the same will be published January 29both in the ONPE premises and in public spaces in each jurisdiction. Likewise, citizens will be able to verify if they have been selected through the ONPE institutional website.
After that, a three-day blanking periodduring which the appointment of a board member may be questioned if there is any legal impediment. The marks will be evaluated by the Special Electoral Juries (JEE) and, once this process is completed, the definitive list.
Obligations, sanctions and economic compensation
The ONPE recalled that the position of table member is inalienableboth for starters and substitutes. Those who do not attend on voting day from 06:00 hours and do not sign the attendance sheet will be sanctioned with a fine of 275 soles.
Meanwhile, citizens who fulfill this function will receive a economic compensation of 165 solesequivalent to 3% of a Tax Tax Unit (UIT).
Finally, the ONPE reported that it has developed accessible training strategies and materials for polling station members, voters and representatives, and announced the launch of the portal ONPEducawhich will allow training virtually. This platform will be available starting February 26, 2026.
