Populist ahead in first round of Peruvian poll

POPULIST Ollanto Humala is leading Peru’s presidential race, with conservative Lourdes Flores and ex-president Alan Garcia competing to qualify for a run-off against the front-runner.

Mr Humala, a former army officer, garnered 27.8%, Ms Flores took 26.3% and Mr Garcia had 25.6%, according to an official count of just over half the valid ballot.

But projections, which pollsters said were more representative, gave Mr Humala a far stronger lead with about 30% of the votes, as much as six points ahead of his two main rivals, who were virtually tied.