Ecuador’s presidential election has led to a runoff between President Daniel Noboa and former congresswoman Luisa González on April 13 after a close first-round vote. Noboa holds a slight lead, but the results reflect deep political divides and criticisms of his security policies. González celebrates the outcome as a significant achievement, framing the election as a contest between hope and fear for the nation’s future.
Ecuador’s presidential election will see a runoff between conservative President Daniel Noboa and leftist former congresswoman Luisa González on April 13. The first round, which concluded with 92% of the votes counted, revealed Noboa leading with 44.31%, a slim margin of 45,000 votes against González in a voter base of 13.7 million.
In order to win in the first round, candidates needed over 50% of the votes or at least 40% while leading by ten percentage points. This electoral contest is viewed as a referendum on Noboa’s brief presidency, which began as a caretaker term following the prior president’s resignation in 2023.
Noboa’s tenure has been marked by a firm security approach aimed at combating drug trafficking, generating widespread international criticism due to associated human rights violations. The leftist camp, supportive of González, celebrated the result given that earlier polls predicted a larger victory margin for Noboa.
González, addressing supporters in Quito, celebrated what she termed a “great victory,” emphasizing the notion of a statistical tie and stating, “This victory belongs to you.” She characterized Noboa’s representation as fear while promoting her vision of hope and transformation for Ecuador.
The upcoming runoff echoes the 2023 elections wherein Noboa, initially trailing González, prevailed in the final vote. The recent electoral day was observed by multiple international observers, and voter turnout reached 83.4%, as voting is mandatory for citizens aged 18 to 65 in Ecuador.
Security during the election was heightened due to previous violence, including the assassination of prominent candidates in 2023. The election underscored the stark divide between supporters of Rafael Correa’s leftist policies and those favoring Noboa’s anti-Correísmo stance, with significant vote concentration between the two leading candidates.
Daniel Noboa, who ascended to the presidency at the youthful age of 37 in 2023, inherited a challenging security environment. With gangs exploiting Ecuador’s strategic location for drug trafficking, significant measures were enacted, including military involvement, to address the escalating violence.
Despite the initially promising results in curbing crime rates, experts point out that the violence levels eventually rebounded, reflecting the ineffectiveness of the president’s strategies. The administration has also been scrutinized for an ongoing energy crisis and numerous constitutional violations, including conflicts with the vice president and a state of emergency declared for an extended period in 2024.
González has also publicly criticized Noboa for not stepping down in accordance with electoral regulations during the campaign period, declaring, “Noboa has violated the law and the constitution.” The upcoming elections continue to reflect the country’s political tension and the electorate’s divided sentiments regarding leadership.
The impending runoff in Ecuador’s presidential election highlights a significant moment in the nation’s governance, illustrating the tension between conservative and leftist ideologies. President Noboa’s administration, marked by a controversial security policy and various challenges, faces a strong challenge from González, who symbolizes a hopeful alternative. As citizens prepare for the April election, the outcome may drastically shape Ecuador’s political landscape and future policies.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
