SUCEDIÓ EN EL PERÚ - Historia de las Elecciones en el Perú Parte 03

Electoral Changes in Peru: A Historical Overview

Introduction of Direct Elections

• In 1896, Piérola established an electoral law that introduced direct public suffrage for literate men over 21 years old, marking the end of indirect elections at the parish level.

• This shift to direct elections significantly reduced the voter base, excluding many men, particularly indigenous populations who were largely illiterate.

Exclusion and Electoral Dynamics

• The new voting requirements effectively marginalized indigenous people from participating in elections due to widespread illiteracy among this demographic.

• The introduction of secret voting was a significant achievement of the 1896 electoral law, transitioning from public voting which had previously exposed voters to potential pressures.

Political Landscape and Key Figures

• Agusto Leguía's presidency (1919-1930), known as "el oncenio," began in 1908 after serving as Minister of Economy under José Pardo.

• Following his term ending in 1912, Leguía faced an electoral impasse leading to Guillermo Billinghurst's appointment as president; he was popularly known for his promise to make bread larger and cheaper.

Reformist Movements and Dictatorship

• Billinghurst’s short-lived government initiated popular reforms but was overthrown by Benavides within two years.

• Leguía returned as a dictator after his second re-election in 1929; however, he fell from power due to a coup led by Luis Sánchez Cerro in 1930.

Establishment of Electoral Institutions

• In 1931, Peru organized its first National Jury of Elections, moving away from congressional oversight which had been discredited due to political bias.

• The establishment of this jury marked a pivotal moment with cleaner elections recorded for the first time since the early twentieth century.

Innovations in Electoral Processes

• The reforms introduced by the 1931 statute included creating an autonomous electoral body and implementing mandatory secret voting alongside voter registration processes.

Challenges and Restrictions Post-Reforms

• Despite advancements like secret suffrage recognized by the Constitution of 1933, restrictions remained against women and younger voters while banning certain political parties such as APRA and communists.

Political Tensions and Developments

• Article 53 of the Constitution prohibited participation from international-affiliated parties like APRA during critical election periods between 1930 and 1968.

Economic Context and New Alliances

• Between 1939–1945, Manuel Prado initiated public corporations aimed at economic development amidst ongoing challenges related to industrial growth dominated by raw material exports.

Reconciliation and Political Change in Peru

The 1950 Elections and Their Aftermath

• The elections were among the most open until that time, resulting in Bustamante's victory. His administration aimed to replace the oligarchic military rule of the past 20 years with a democratic government focused on national reform and development.

• Unfortunately, this ambitious project failed within three years, leading to another military coup led by General Manuel Odría. This marked a regression to previous political norms as described by poet Martín Adán.

Societal Changes Post-1950