Ecuadorian voters went to the poll on Sunday to decide whether central right president Daniel Novore will take another term in 15 months.
His predecessor, Guillermo Lasso, has been faced with a perpetrator procedure over accusations of embezzlement, calling for an early election in 2023. Novoa, 37, a Harvard Kennedy School alumnus from one of Ecuador's wealthiest families, unexpectedly rose to the vote to win the election and served the remainder of Lasso's term.
What's at stake is the crisis that has been taken by a country with nearly 18 million problems, sending tens of thousands of Ecuadorians to the US as it tackles drug fuel violence and high unemployment rates .
Why is this election important?
Five years ago, Novore was politically unknown. He was elected to the country's parliament in 2021 and served for one period.
In the 2023 election, which replaced Lasso, he rose from the bottom of the vote in the first round of the vote, winning the second place victory after a strong debate performance. He then defeated left-wing facility candidate Luisa Gonzalez in the second round.
Gonzalez is running again, representing the powerful former presidential party of Ecuadorian polarized figure Rafael Correa. Many voters express nostalgia about the low violence and strong economy that characterize his presidency, while others remember his authoritarian style and his belief in corruption.
For many years, Correa's leftist movement has defined Ecuadorian politics, but some analysts say that if Novoa wins, he could create his own movement.
Formed a year ago, Novoa's party is projected in polls to win about a third of its seats in Parliament. This is the same as Correa's party.
Who is the top candidate?
Novoa was first elected behind a desperate desire for change, including an outburst of anxiety in Ecuador and a particularly bloody 2023 election cycle, and the assassination of another presidential candidate.
Violence remains high with unemployment, but relies on skillful social media strategies to project an image of youth and vitality that has captivated many of his constituents.
Last year, Novore allowed the military to patrol the streets and prisons, imposing a state of intrinsic conflict in order to suppress the worsening violence and outbreaks of prison riots.
He also sent police to the Mexican embassy in Quito, the capital, and arrested a politician seeking shelter from the prison prison, which is considered a brave violation of diplomatic protocols. Some analysts saw the move as an overreach by the presidential authorities and a threat to civil liberties.
However, his supporters see him as a bold leader who breaks the rules and stands up against corrupt power. In April, the Ecuadorians approved his hardline approach when they approved a referendum that led to the law to increase military presence.
“He has to be strong to make people respect him,” said Jessica Navarro, 34, a taxi driver in Quito.
A political opponent, Gonzalez is defined by her relationship with Correa, who carefully selected her to represent his party.
“When Rafael Correa was there, he really supported us a lot,” said Edgar Escobar, 28, a nursing student who supports Gonzalez. “I want to go back to that country we had before.”
However, former Justice Minister Lady Zuniga, running for Gonzalez's party and for Parliament, opposed the notion that she represents the past.
“It's not going back to the past,” she said. “People are denounced that happening to a government that is no longer here in eight years. The problem beyond going back is having a team with experience and technical knowledge, as administration is not easy. ”
What are the main issues?
Ecuador is facing permanent violence, chronic unemployment and an energy crisis. January saw more violent deaths than any other month in the last three years, police data show.
The drought in a country that relies heavily on hydroelectric energy, which caused 14 hours of power outages every day for about three months last year. The crisis has threatened water, cells and internet services, shutting down businesses and putting the entire industry at risk.
Over the past five years, the drug trafficking industry has expanded in Ecuador, drawing in international criminal groups and unleashing extraordinary levels of violence in a formerly safe country.
But Novore's campaign is generally defined by imagery – the country is flooded with his cardboard cutouts – and less by specific policy proposals to address his country's challenges. I did.
Novoa often vaguely talks about throwing “old Ecuador” into the garbage.
Gonzalez emphasizes dealing with the security crisis by strengthening Ecuadorian institutions such as justice, health and education systems.
When will the results be known?
Ecuadorian presidential elections usually involve two rounds of votes, with two top candidates facing each other in the first round in the second round. To win the first round fully, a candidate must receive more than 50% of his votes, or more than 40% of his votes with a margin of 10 points than his nearest rival.
Polls showed Novoa could be on the lead ahead of Sunday's election and get enough votes to avoid leaks.
Voting was expected to begin at 7am on Sunday, with results that ended at 5pm at around 6pm.
