On October 4, Peru will go to the polls for the 2026 Regional and Municipal Elections, a process in which millions of citizens will renew the main authorities of regional and local governments for the 2027–2030 period. During the day, regional governors and vice governors, regional councilors, provincial and district mayors, as well as councilors at both levels, will be elected. The official call was made by the Executive Power through Supreme Decree No. 001-2026-PCM, published on January 7, 2026, starting the electoral schedule. However, the election of regional governors may not be decided in a single day. Current legislation establishes that if no candidate exceeds 30% of the valid votes, a regional runoff must be held between the two candidates with the highest votes. This mechanism aims to guarantee greater legitimacy in the election of the highest regional authorities. It should be noted that this provision only applies to regional governors and does not apply to elections for provincial or district mayors.
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ONPE has already conducted the draw for polling station members for the upcoming elections. Find out if you are a polling station member
If you want to know if you have been appointed as a polling station member for the 2026 Regional and Municipal Elections in Peru, you can follow these steps:
Citizens who wish to verify if they were selected as polling station members for the upcoming elections must enter the official portal of the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE): https://consultaelectoral.onpe.gob.pe/inicio. By entering their DNI number, the system informs whether the person was designated as a principal or substitute member, as well as the voting location and the table assigned. The information is also usually disseminated through the mobile application and the entity’s official channels. Those without internet access can check the registers published at their respective voting locations.
Being chosen as a polling station member implies a mandatory responsibility during the election day. The designated persons must appear to set up and manage the polling station, unless they have a justification accepted by the electoral authority. Failure to comply with this obligation may result in a fine according to current regulations. Therefore, ONPE recommends timely verification of the appointment and following official instructions to avoid setbacks on election day.
If you are a polling station member, know the dates of the training you must receive from ONPE
The National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) has already defined the training schedule for citizens appointed as polling station members in the 2026 Regional and Municipal Elections. The first National Training Day will be held on Sunday, August 30, while the second is scheduled for September 20. These activities aim for participants to understand the correct conduct of the election day and the functions they must perform. With this, the entity seeks to ensure an orderly and transparent voting process.
In addition to the national sessions, ONPE will offer in-person training at the Decentralized Electoral Process Offices (ODPE) and other authorized locations nationwide. The institution will also provide a virtual modality with manuals, videos, and reference materials to facilitate the preparation of polling station members. Details about training locations and platform access will be disseminated as the electoral schedule progresses. This entire process will serve as prior preparation for the elections on Sunday, October 4, 2026.
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Who are the assigned polling station members who could not fulfill their civic duty without sanction?
Being appointed as a polling station member constitutes an obligation established by Peruvian electoral legislation, so the position cannot be voluntarily declined. However, the regulations contemplate certain grounds that allow requesting an excuse to be exempted from this responsibility. These include duly accredited health problems, pregnancy with medical recommendation, disability or physical limitations that prevent performing the function, as well as being out of the country on election day. Other exceptional circumstances provided for in current legislation may also be accepted.
Those who consider they meet any of these grounds must submit an excuse request to the National Jury of Elections (JNE) within the deadline set in the electoral schedule, attaching documentation supporting their request, such as medical certificates, tickets, or migration records. Exemption only proceeds if the JNE declares the request founded. If a person does not attend as a polling station member without an accepted excuse, they may be sanctioned with the corresponding fine. Additionally, if they also fail to vote and are not legally exempted from suffrage, they could receive a second sanction for omission to vote.
What benefit will polling station members receive for fulfilling their work on election day, October 4?
Citizens who fully perform the role of polling station member during the 2026 Regional and Municipal Elections will receive an economic compensation of S/ 165, according to the Organic Law of Elections. This amount is equivalent to 3% of the Tax Unit (UIT) and is given as recognition for the work performed throughout the election day. The measure aims to encourage compliance with this civic responsibility and ensure the normal development of the elections. The benefit is granted only to those who effectively exercise the position.
In addition to the economic incentive, polling station members who complete the training organized by ONPE and participate throughout the day will be entitled to one paid day off, non-compensable, applicable to both public and private sector workers. This rest must be used within 90 days after the election, in coordination with the employer. In contrast, those who do not show up to fulfill this function without an excuse approved by the National Jury of Elections (JNE) will be sanctioned with a fine of S/ 275, according to current electoral regulations.
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