Some 13.4 million voters are called to the polls this Sunday to participate in early elections in Ecuador, in a climate of insecurity and instability after a presidential candidate was assassinated at a rally.
The election, called in May by Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso, is marked by the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, who was fifth in the polls.
After Villavicencio’s death, Lasso declared a state of emergency for 60 days and three days of national mourning.
In the elections this Sunday, the President of the country (who will complete Lasso’s term until 2025) and the 137 parliamentarians that make up the National Assembly will be elected, in addition to the holding of two referendums on mining and oil exploration.
Eight candidates are running for Ecuador’s presidency, including Luisa González of the left-wing Revolución Ciudadana movement, who is leading in the polls.
According to the legislation of the country -with more than 17 million inhabitants-, a presidential candidate needs to obtain 50% of the votes, or 40% if he is 10 points ahead of his closest rival, to win the vote in the first round. . . . If these scenarios do not occur, a second round will be held on October 15.
Source: TSF
