Barack Obama Will Win Say Peruvian Shamans

Some polls say Barack Obama and Mitt Romney are neck and neck in the White House race - but for one group it is already over.

Using maracas, coca leaves and a hallucinogenic brew, a group of Peruvian shamans has determined that Mr Obama will be re-elected on Tuesday.

Wearing traditional Andean dress, the group of 12 medicine men and women gathered on Monday at the top of Lima's San Cristobal hill for a ceremony.

They burned incense and rubbed a poster of Mr Obama with flowers and the common rue plant, which is supposed to bring good luck.

They also assaulted a poster of Mr Romney with maracas and a sword.

"The apus (gods of the hills in indigenous mythology) tell us Obama will be re-elected," predicted Juan Osco, known as the Shaman of the Andes.

The shamans sang, whistled and danced in a circle for journalists, who came and went as the ceremony continued.

They also chewed coca leaves, a traditional ceremonial and medicinal plant since Inca times that helps fight altitude sickness.