More than one million Peruvians were eligible to cast their ballots through the “900,000 series” voting tables during the 2026 General Elections. These specialized stations, designed to bring the voting process closer to remote populations, were deployed across 1,913 populated centers nationwide and will remain operational for the second round of voting on June 7.
Known as inclusive voting tables, these stations allow citizens in hard-to-reach areas to exercise their right to vote without the need to travel to their respective district capitals. They are identified by administrative codes starting from 900,001.
The Expansion of Inclusive Voting
For the 2026 process, the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) established 4,703 tables to serve 1,109,876 eligible voters. This represents a steady increase from previous cycles, with 2,101 tables installed in 2016 and 3,108 in 2021.
Cajamarca recorded the highest concentration of these tables in the country with 636, a significant rise from 374 in 2021 and 247 in 2016. Puno also saw substantial growth, increasing from 111 tables in 2021 to 289 in the current process.
María Uipan, ONPE’s Sub-manager of Planning, noted that the increase is primarily driven by the volume of requests received from regions with highly dispersed populated centers, specifically mentioning Áncash, Cajamarca, Puno, and Cusco.
Urban Shifts and the Lima Context
While rural areas saw growth, the number of 900,000 series tables in Lima decreased to 239, which is 15 fewer than in 2021.
Uipan attributed this decline to the widespread use of the “Elige tu local de votación” (Choose your voting location) app. This tool allows citizens to select up to three nearby locations, reducing the necessity for specific inclusive tables in urban zones.
Addressing a controversial case at IE La Pradera II in El Agustino, the ONPE clarified that the table was based on a request submitted before the 2014 municipal and regional elections. At that time, the voting app did not exist, and the population had been verified to have significant transportation difficulties.
How Inclusive Tables are Established
The creation of these tables occurs through two distinct channels. The first is an ONPE initiative, where the Sub-management of Modernization and Regional Coordination Offices identify eligible zones by crossing data with social programs and “Tambos.”
The second channel is via community request, which requires a rigorous six-step process:
- Community Request: A formal letter to the head of ONPE explaining the need.
- Municipal Backing: Support letters from district or provincial municipalities and acceptance acts from local representatives.
- Mapping: Submission of plans, sketches, access routes, and 5 to 8 photographs of the proposed site.
- Voter Registry: A list of residents including DNI, full names, and signatures or fingerprints.
- Verification: ONPE validates data against Reniec records and evaluates the site’s services and transport itinerary, with oversight from the National Jury of Elections (JNE).
- Coding: Upon approval, the table is assigned a code in the 900,001 range.
Legal Framework and Authority
The ONPE bases the installation of these tables on Article 182 of the Political Constitution of Peru and the Organic Law of Elections (Law No. 26859). Specifically, Articles 37, 52, and 53 of the Organic Law grant the agency the authority to organize and distribute voting tables across the national territory.
María Uipan clarified that while there is no specific law solely for “900,000 series” tables, the existing legal framework is intentionally broad to allow the ONPE to guarantee the constitutional right to vote for all electors.
JNE Magistrate Gunther Gonzales Barrón reinforced this in a vote foundation for Resolution No. 1121-2026-JNE, stating that such tables are a technical administrative decision. He noted that just as there is no specific law for tables in Lima’s districts, these inclusive tables possess sufficient constitutional and legal support.
Officials emphasized that these should not be confused with Law No. 28440, which governs the election of local authorities in populated centers, a process managed by provincial municipalities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 900,000 series voting tables?
They are “inclusive” voting tables installed in remote populated centers, peasant communities, and hamlets to allow citizens in hard-to-reach areas to vote without traveling to their district capital.
Who decides where these tables are placed?
Placement is based on a technical evaluation by the ONPE, considering factors such as distance to the standard voting location, transport difficulties, and population access conditions.
Is there a specific law that creates the 900,000 series?
No. They are established under the general framework of the Political Constitution (Art. 182) and the Organic Law of Elections (Law No. 26859), which authorize the ONPE to organize the distribution of voting tables.
Do you believe digital tools like voting-location apps will eventually replace the need for inclusive tables in all urban areas?
