Lima, Nov 14 (teleSUR-RHC) Peruvian President Ollanta Humala announced Friday that the country’s next presidential election will be held on April 10, 2016.

By convening these elections the government "guarantees and continues the democratic regime that characterizes the political tradition of Peru in the XXI century," said the Peruvian president.

Humala called on Peruvians to "actively participate" in the elections and demand candidates’ proposals to achieve the ideal of country "we all desire."

So far the presidential hopefuls are Keiko Fujimori, daughter of imprisoned former dictator Alberto Fujimori, and former President Alan Garcia. Both are right-wing opposition politicians. 

Garcia is currently facing an investigation over the alleged granting of presidential pardons for 3,274 drug traffickers. If found guilty he could be imprisoned and sentenced with several years. 

Meanwhile Fujimori, a 40-year-old lawyer, has been largely criticized for supporting her father’s policies, the former leader is currently serving a sentence of 25 years for crimes against humanity. 

Incumbent President Ollanta Humala is ineligible to run due to constitutional term limits. Peruvians are also going to elect vice presidents and congressmen for the period of 2016-2021.

The upcoming elections come as the ruling Nationalist Party has become increasingly unpopular due to several ongoing social conflicts, corruption allegations and a stagnant economy.