2026 Peru Presidential Debates: Dates, Schedule & Candidates

2026 Peru Presidential Debates: Dates, Schedule & Candidates

March 13, 2026 David Kessler - News Editor News
El próximo lunes 23 de marzo iniciarán las jornadas de debate de los 36 candidatos presidenciales que participan en las elecciones generales del 2026. Conoce cómo se desarrollarán los encuentros entre los postulantes.

Peru’s National Jury of Elections (JNE) is coordinating a series of presidential debates ahead of the 2026 general elections. The debates, designed to give voters a comprehensive view of the candidates’ platforms, will unfold over six dates: March 23, 24, and 25, followed by March 30, 31, and April 1. All debates are scheduled to begin at 8:00 PM local time.

The debates are structured into two three-day blocks. The first block, spanning March 23-25, will focus on citizen security and the fight against crime, and public integrity and the fight against corruption. Each day will feature 12 different candidates, determined by a lottery conducted by the JNE. The second block, from March 30 to April 1, will address employment, development, and entrepreneurship, as well as education, innovation, and technology. The candidate order for each day in the second block has also been determined by lottery and differs from the first.

How the Debates Will Function

Carlos Vilela, the JNE’s National Director of Education, Participation and Civic Electoral Training, explained to Agencia Andina that each debate is expected to last two and a half hours. The format involves candidates debating in groups of three.

The debates will be moderated by journalists Fernando Carvalho and Claudia Chiroque during the first block, and Angélica Valdés and Pedro Tenorio during the second. These moderators were selected by the participating political organizations.

Each debate will begin with an introduction by the moderators, outlining the candidates and the debate mechanics. The core of the debate will consist of four blocks. In the first block, Candidate A will have one minute to present their views on the day’s first topic – for example, citizen security. Candidates B and C will then have two and a half minutes each to respond. This process will be repeated for each group of three candidates until all four groups have participated.

Second Block and Beyond

The second block will feature a different question posed to each candidate, selected by lottery on the day. These questions will cover topics outside of the day’s main themes, such as health or the economy.

The third block will mirror the first, addressing the second topic of the day – in the first week, this would be public integrity and the fight against corruption. The final block will be dedicated to closing statements, with each of the 12 candidates having one minute to address the nation. Vilela noted that candidates can use this time to present their background and explain why they are seeking the presidency.

The presidential debates will be broadcast on the JNE’s signal and TV Perú, and retransmitted by other channels nationally, and internationally.

The JNE’s coordination of these debates underscores the importance of providing Peruvian voters with a platform to assess the candidates and their visions for the country’s future. The structured format, with its emphasis on both prepared statements and spontaneous responses, aims to foster a robust exchange of ideas. Agencia Peruana de Noticias | ANDINA reported on the JNE’s preparations.

Confirmed vs. Unclear

Confirmed: The debates will capture place on six dates between March 23 and April 1, beginning at 8:00 PM local time. The format involves candidates debating in groups of three, with specific time allocations for opening statements, rebuttals, and closing remarks. The moderators have been selected by the political organizations. The debates will be broadcast on JNE’s signal and TV Perú.

Unclear: Details regarding the specific questions to be asked in the second block of each debate remain to be determined by lottery on the day of the debate. The full list of participating candidates has not been published, beyond the confirmation that 36 candidates will participate overall. The extent of international broadcasting beyond retransmission by national channels has not been specified.

The upcoming debates represent a crucial stage in Peru’s 2026 election cycle, offering voters a direct opportunity to compare the candidates’ positions on key issues. EL PAÍS provides additional context on the political landscape in Peru.

Publicado: 12/3/2026

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