A mayoral race in Peru has been decided by the toss of a coin after two candidates finished in a dead heat. Ruben Quispe Capajana of the Somos Peru party and Salomino Mamani Quispe each won exactly 671 votes in the contest for mayor of Conima District, in the southern Puno region, where municipal elections were held on 4 October.

With no recount or second round able to separate them, election officials turned to the procedure set out in Peruvian law. Under Article 26 of Electoral Law No. 26864, a winner may be determined by lottery when candidates receive an equal number of votes. On 4 November, the Special Electoral Jury organised a public draw and tossed a one-sol coin, which fell in favour of Quispe, who was declared the successful candidate.

Quispe later told journalists that winning the mayoralty had long been his goal, adding that God had made the decision. The unusual finish drew attention well beyond the small lakeside district, a reminder that in Peru's smallest contests the rules leave no room for a tie to stand. Pakistan Point reported the coin toss on Sunday, while NewsPoint confirmed the 671-vote tie and the public draw held on 4 November.