Socialist Castillo clings on to tight lead in Peru election as count nears end

FILE PHOTO: Peru's presidential candidate Pedro Castillo gestures to supporters the day after a run-off election, in Lima, Peru June 7, 2021. REUTERS/Sebastian Castaneda

LIMA (Reuters) - Peruvian socialist candidate Pedro Castillo held on to a narrow lead late on Tuesday in the country's runoff presidential election, as tensions rose over contested ballots and accusations of fraud, which sparked protests outside the elections office.

Castillo, who has worried markets and mining firms with his plans to shake up the copper-rich country's politics, held a slim lead of some 50.3%, ahead of right-wing rival Keiko Fujimori on 49.7%, with almost 98% of the votes tallied.