Leftist front-runner Luisa Gonzalez appeared poised for a run-off election against an unexpected contender, the youthful son of one of Ecuador’s wealthiest individuals, according to official results released Sunday.
Gonzalez, a lawyer with close ties to divisive former socialist president Rafael Correa, led with 33 percent of the vote, with 80 percent of ballots counted.
Diana Atamaint, President of the National Electoral Council, stated that no candidate had surpassed the winning threshold after a tense day of voting amid tight security. She announced, “We are headed for a second-round election on October 15.”
Gonzalez is likely to face Daniel Noboa, 35, in the run-off, who secured 24 percent of the vote despite not being a favorite in pre-election polls. The chaotic election had been marred by the assassination of a significant contender.
“We are making history,” Gonzalez remarked, celebrating her “triumph” in the initial round. Noboa claimed that the “youth” had chosen him to counter Correa’s party.
The October 15 run-off carries high stakes in Ecuador, once a peaceful nation now grappling with drug-related violence. The country has become a hub for foreign drug mafias, fueling brutal conflicts between local gangs and the export of cocaine.
The murder of presidential contender Fernando Villavicencio days before the vote highlighted the nation’s challenges. Ecuadorians were voting for a successor to conservative leader Guillermo Lasso, who called the snap election to avoid impeachment, just two years into his tenure.
Voters faced security measures, including searches at polling stations, as some candidates wore protective gear. Insecurity emerged as a top concern for citizens, given the rise in crimes, assassinations, and disappearances.
Gonzalez, a proponent of Correa’s socialist legacy, led the polls until Villavicencio’s murder. She planned to have Correa as a close advisor if elected. Correa, facing corruption charges, had been sentenced to jail in an investigation led by Villavicencio before fleeing to Belgium.
Noboa, appearing in a televised debate in a bulletproof jacket, delivered the day’s surprise. His father, Alvaro Noboa, ran for the presidency unsuccessfully multiple times.
Amid the election, a historic referendum took place, deciding whether to continue oil drilling in an Amazon reserve inhabited by uncontacted Indigenous populations. The “yes” vote to halt drilling led with 58 percent of support.
Ecuador, once a haven of peace, grapples with drug-related violence fueled by foreign cartels drawn to its ports, weak security, and corruption. Gang conflicts have resulted in extensive prison violence, and the country’s murder rate surged to record highs.
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