Presidential elections were held in Peru in May 1872. Manuel Pardo of the Civilista Party was elected with 69% of the vote, becoming the first civilian to be elected to the presidency and the first opposition candidate to win a presidential election in Peru.[1]
Electoral system
The elections were indirect, with the president elected by the electoral colleges elected on 15 October 1871.[1]
Following the elections, Congress was to meet in August to ratify the results. Outgoing president José Balta was overthrown on 22 July in a coup led by Tomás Gutiérrez aimed at preventing Pardo from taking office. Both Balta and Gutiérrez were killed four days later. Gutiérrez was succeeded as president by Francisco Diez Canseco, who was in office for only one day before being replaced by Mariano Herencia Zevallos, who served as interim president until Pardo took office on 2 August.
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