Opposition presidential candidate Alejandro Toledo (L) shakes hands with Charles Costello (R) and Kenneth D. Wollack (C) of the National Democratic Institute after a meeting in a hotel in Lima, March 21. Along with the Carter Center, the two organizations are monitoring the elections in April widely criticised for undemocratic conditions as President Alberto Fujimori runs for a third term. Toledo, a former shoeshine boy, has jumped to a solid second place in Peru's leadership race, raising doubts whether election favorite Fujimori can win outright in April's first round election.

MB/JP