The Contraloría General de la República has identified alleged criminal and administrative responsibilities involving Piero Corvetto, the former head of the Oficina Nacional de Procesos Electorales (ONPE), and nine other officials or former employees. This development follows a specific control report examining logistical failures during the first round of the 2026 elections.
According to the report, which spans 6,578 folios across 14 volumes, deficiencies in the distribution of electoral material impacted the voting rights of 55,261 citizens. The findings, released on Monday, May 25, highlight alleged irregularities including the potential favoring of a service provider known as Galaga and the authorization of payments lacking technical or legal justification.
Logistical Failures and Accountability
The investigation indicates that inaction regarding the timely distribution of electoral materials and computer equipment resulted in 187 polling stations in Lima failing to install on Sunday, April 12. In total, the delay in distribution affected 3,605 polling stations. The report explicitly cites a failure to execute the necessary actions to ensure compliance with the Electoral Operational Plan.
Beyond Corvetto, the case identifies José Edilberto Samamé Blas, former manager of Electoral Management, and Juan Antonio Phang Sánchez, former sub-manager of Electoral Production, as subjects of alleged criminal responsibility. The report asserts that these individuals prepared terms of reference that failed to accurately quantify the actual need for vehicles, which allegedly favored Galaga. While the company was expected to maintain a minimum internal fleet to ensure operational capacity, it reportedly utilized 437 vehicles belonging to third parties.
Next Steps for the ONPE
The report has been formally transmitted to the interim head of the ONPE, Bernardo Pachas, as well as the president of the Junta Nacional de Justicia, María Teresa Cabrera, and the specialized public prosecutor for corruption crimes, Mario Luna Ramos. The Contraloría recommends initiating administrative disciplinary procedures against all involved parties.
The ONPE has confirmed receipt of the report and stated that its General Management has tasked the Technical Secretariat of Administrative Disciplinary Procedures with requesting that the identified officials and public servants explain their respective responsibilities. Meanwhile, the Fiscalía Anticorrupción continues its own separate investigation into Corvetto regarding these same events. Legal representatives for Corvetto have indicated they will not provide a statement at this time.
Future actions could involve formal legal proceedings by the Prosecutor’s Office and potential sanctions handed down through the internal disciplinary mechanisms of the ONPE.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the primary logistical failures noted by the Contraloría?
The report cites the untimely distribution of electoral material and computer equipment, which resulted in 187 polling stations in Lima failing to install and a total of 3,605 polling stations being affected by delays.
Who are the primary officials mentioned in the report?
The report identifies former ONPE head Piero Corvetto, former Electoral Management manager José Edilberto Samamé Blas, and former Electoral Production sub-manager Juan Antonio Phang Sánchez, among seven other officials and former staff members.
What is the status of the ONPE’s internal response?
The ONPE has received the report and initiated a process through its Technical Secretariat of Administrative Disciplinary Procedures to require the implicated individuals to account for their responsibilities.
How do you believe organizations should balance the need for third-party logistics with the requirement for internal operational control during critical public events?
