MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Peruvian Congress questions legality of ruling party.

The Peruvian congressional committee investigating falsification of voter registration signatures concluded that President Alejandro Toledo engaged in criminal conspiracy and violation of public trust. Mr. Toledo's sister, Margarita, has been under house arrest since January on similar charges raised by the committee.

conspiracy and violation of public trust. Mr. Toledo's sister, Margarita, has been under house arrest since January on similar charges raised by the committee. According to the committee Mr. Toledo and his sister conspired to file thousands of fake signatures to reach the number required to register his "Peru Posible" party enabling it to field candidates, specifically Mr. Toledo, in the presidential 2000 election.

Committee chairman Edgar Villanueva spoke to the press of the dispute among the committee's five members when the time came to vote on the conclusions and make recommendations.

Only three members of the committee showed up for the voting. The conclusions were approved because the three made up an absolute majority, he said. The Villanueva Committee's recommendation to discipline the president raised a stir in the chamber, as many legislators were of the opinion that he enjoys Executive immunity.

The recommendation, which would entail removing president Toledo from office, was withdrawn leaving Congress to decide what further, if any, steps should be taken. The committee began investigating fake voter registrations last year and has questioned dozens of witnesses.

Since taking office with limited Congressional support, President Toledo has been exposed to reiterated political questioning and has one of the lowest presidential public opinion support in South America.