Peru's National Board of Justice has referred findings regarding former electoral chief Piero Corvetto to prosecutors for an investigation into alleged crimes against public administration.
The decision by the judicial oversight body, known as the JNJ, follows an internal review of the evaluation process that led to Corvetto's ratification as head of the National Office of Electoral Processes in 2024.
The JNJ Plenary voted unanimously to send certified copies of its findings to the Public Prosecutor's Office. Prosecutors will evaluate whether Corvetto committed offenses including misuse of public resources and improper advantage of office.
Land acquisition and institutional merit claims
A primary observation in the report involves the acquisition of land intended for a new headquarters for the electoral authority, known as ONPE. Corvetto presented the property purchase as a major achievement of his administration during his 2024 evaluation, despite a lack of concrete material progress on the site.
The oversight board noted that public complaints regarding the purchase and the total absence of project advancement had been recorded since 2022.
The JNJ, currently headed by Maria Teresa Cabrera, also questioned how awards and recognitions granted to ONPE were evaluated during Corvetto's review. Formal recognitions awarded to the agency for providing technical assistance were improperly classified as Corvetto's personal achievements.
In addition, publications produced by Editorial ONPE were credited as personal merits of the former agency chief. The report stated that the previous JNJ board failed to examine the extent of institutional involvement in writing, editing, and distributing the works, or whether state personnel, materials, and logistics were used for Corvetto's benefit.
Irregularities in the 2024 ratification vote
The report highlighted significant procedural inconsistencies in how Corvetto was ultimately reappointed. Under Resolution 090-2024-PLENO-JNJ, the board initially determined that Corvetto had failed to secure the votes required by law for ratification.
However, after two JNJ members were reinstated to their posts by court order, Corvetto filed a motion for reconsideration. The newly configured board approved the appeal and authorized his ratification.
The current board concluded that the reversal took place without adequate analysis or legal justification. It noted that the previous board changed its ruling despite existing case files documenting low citizen trust in ONPE, adverse audit reports, land purchase disputes, and unverified publication claims.
Electoral authority oversight in Peru
The National Board of Justice serves as an independent constitutional body in Peru responsible for appointing, evaluating, and disciplining judges, prosecutors, and electoral authority leadership. The National Office of Electoral Processes acts as the country's primary body for organizing national elections and ballot logistics.
Corvetto subsequently resigned from his position at ONPE following logistical delays in the distribution of election materials during the 2026 general elections.
