2016 elections were a nightmare! They switched my polling place, and it was a total mess. Hoping I don’t get stuck there again for the second round.

I couldn’t help but burst out laughing when I overheard the person behind me say, ‘I’m at the central market.’ The situation was as surreal as it sounds. The polling station literally resembled a chaotic street market. People were shouting, jostling for position, pushing and shoving, creating a frenzy in each of the lines.

This was the scene that greeted me as I entered the small technical institute where I was assigned to vote. It was my first time voting at the María Rosario Araoz Pinto Institute, and I left with the worst possible impression. Gone are the days when I voted at PUCP, where the longest line I ever had to wait in was only five people tops.

The worst part was that despite the pandemonium, no one seemed interested in restoring order.”

Total Chaos

This time around, it was utter chaos. Neither the JNE officials nor the Navy personnel could control the unruly crowds. People stampeded towards the lines like cattle, pushing, shouting, and hurling insults at each other. The worst part was that despite the pandemonium, no one seemed interested in restoring order.

It was as if everyone had gathered to vent their frustrations and engage in Peru’s favorite pastime: arguing. Slowly but surely, amidst the shoving and insults, they inched their way towards their respective voting tables. I despise politics, though I lean towards pro-capitalist candidates. So, voting in this election felt like an absurd imposition.

I was battling a cold, fatigue, and frustration, having grown accustomed to the hassle-free voting experience at my previous polling station.”

Escape from the Voting Mayhem

As I approached my assigned voting table, I was tempted to turn around and pay the fine rather than endure the lengthy line. The only thing that stopped me was my concern about a hefty penalty, which turned out to be 20 bucks. Had I known this beforehand, I would have gladly escaped the pandemonium and paid the fine the following day.

It’s not that I’m rolling in dough, but I’m confident that paying the fine would have taken less time. I was battling a cold, fatigue, and frustration, having grown accustomed to the hassle-free voting experience at my previous polling station. Since I was already writing this blog post, I decided to document my experience with a photo.

Undeterred, I decided to switch gears and prepare honey-mustard glazed pork ribs with chicha, a Peruvian fermented corn beverage.”

After the ordeal

Amidst the cacophony of shouts, arguments, and general frustration, I found solace in the beats of Afrika Bambaataa. Once my turn arrived, I cast my vote, exited the institute, and headed home for the real priority: whipping up my signature beef tongue stew. But… Upon reaching the supermarket, I realized it was too late to find any beef tongue.

Undeterred, I decided to switch gears and prepare honey-mustard glazed pork ribs with chicha, a Peruvian fermented corn beverage. And let me tell you, the dish was a resounding success! After that, I just learned that 2016 elections are headed for a runoff. Well, let’s say if I encounter the same level of chaos next time, I’ll probably just pay the fine.

Meet you at the next entry.