The vote recount, an exceptional mechanism that will be applied for the first time in the General Elections on April 12, 2026, will allow for the review of ballots in specific situations. According to Yessica Clavijo, Secretary General of the National Jury of Elections (JNE), this measure will be implemented when the observed records cannot be resolved through the initial verification. Unlike previous elections, the ballots will no longer be destroyed at the end of the electoral day; instead, they will be safeguarded by the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE). This ensures that, in case of inconsistencies, a recount can be requested to ensure a proper resolution of any disputes at the polling stations.
The recount is not an automatic process. It will only be applied if the Special Electoral Jurors (JEE) determine that the records contain errors that prevent their processing, such as missing signatures or incomplete data. In such cases, a public hearing will be held, involving representatives from political parties and the Public Ministry, ensuring the transparency of the process. This new mechanism is part of an effort to improve the integrity of the electoral process, as mentioned in the recent note regarding Carlos Álvarez’s proposal for education in the country.
