Undefined variable: error in Laravel 5.6

I have controller to input data to database and show error if duplicate data but i get message

Undefined variable: error

$cek = DB::table('peserta')->where('email',$email)->count();
  if ($cek > 0 and count($error) > 0 ) {
    $pesan = [];
    $pesan['halu'] = 'danger';
    $pesan['message'] = 'Email anda sudah terdaftar';
  }

via Chebli Mohamed