Peruvian presidential candidate distances herself from discredited father

Peruvian presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori has tried to distance herself from her father Alberto Fujimori, whose presidency was tainted with scandalous corruption, saying she would not commit the same mistakes.

In a debate on Sunday night between 10 presidential contenders, Fujimori, candidate of the center-right Fuerza Popular (FP) party, pledged never to carry out a so-called "self-coup," as her father did to prolong his stay in power.

Peruvians will elect a new president on April 10.

Alberto Fujimori, who was in power from 1990 to 2000, was credited with restoring stability in the country, but was also notorious for a so-called "self-coup" in order to run for presidency for a third term when the presidency is limited to two terms in the country.

In the debate on Sunday evening, Keiko Fujimori, who failed in her first bid for presidency in 2011, pledged to "drastically fight corruption and respect the independence of different branches of the government."

She also promised "not to use political power to benefit any member of my family," which would rule out a pardon for her father who is serving 25 years in prison for corruption and crimes against humanity.

At one point, Keiko Fujimori held up a document, saying she had signed a "pledge of honor" containing the guiding principles of her administration.

The presidential candidates presented their platforms for the nation's economy, education, health and other sectors.

Nearly 23 million Peruvians are eligible to vote in the upcoming elections to elect a president, 130 legislators to the National Congress and five representatives to the Andean Parliament.

Polls showed that no candidate is expected to be able to win the 50 percent majority needed to secure a first-round victory, making a runoff likely. Endi