OAS concerned by barring of presidential candidates in Peru

LIMA, Peru (AP) — The Organization of American States expressed concern Thursday over the timing of the disqualification of candidates from Peru's presidential race and said it was sending an observer mission for the election, in which the daughter of jailed strongman Alberto Fujimori is the front-runner.

The decision by Peru's electoral board to bar Keiko Fujimori's main rival on a technicality just one month ahead of the April 10 vote has sparked charges of political chicanery and a vow by economist Julio Guzman to fight his disqualification.

"While the system of challenges laid out in electoral legislation upholds the right to a hearing and judicial appeal, the timeframe set for the presentation of motions to disqualify candidates leads to uncertainty in both the electorate and the candidates themselves," the OAS said in a statement.