The elections in Ecuador, extraordinary and anticipated, will take place on August 20. With a period of government that will last only a year and a half, these elections take place after the Assembly approved impeachment of the then president Guillermo Lasso and he decreed the so-called death cross to dissolve the legislature, lose his position as president and call to the polls In his words, his motives were a “serious political crisis and internal commotion.”
More than 13 million Ecuadorians are called to vote this weekend, in the midst of a crisis of insecurity, violence and corruption. The assassination of candidate Fernando Villavicencio, on August 9, evidenced the security risks and violence that have suffocated Ecuadorians for a long time. In the South American country, the speeches of the candidates are focused on diminishing the crisis of violence and cleaning up the corruption that previous governments dragged on.
what is voted
The elections will be to choose president, vice president. legislators and popular consultations will be voted on, such as the oil exploitation of the Yasuní protected natural area and the mining exploitation of the Chocó Andino.
Only the voters in the canton of Quito will receive the ballot for the Chocó Andino consultation, the rest of the Ecuadorian population will be given four ballots; presidential vote, national assembly members, provincial assembly members and popular consultation of Yasuní.
where to vote
Citizens who want to vote need to be registered in the electoral registry, which can be consulted at the page of the National Electoral Council of Ecuador. When reviewing the register, it also indicates the polling place where you should go. Anyone looking for this information needs their identity card and date of birth to be able to access the register. You can also call 02 3815 841 from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Sunday or through the CNE APP.
What documents are needed to vote
Those interested must attend the polls with the original document of the identity card, passport or consular identity document.
What time do the polls open?
Voting hours are set from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Voters from abroad may attend from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (local time).
vote abroad
Those who are outside the country will be able to vote online once they register at the page of the National Electoral Council. You need an ID or passport number, answer security questions to validate identity, email and telephone. The suffrage must be carried out on the telematic voting page.
Candidates for president and proposals
Luisa Gonzalez
A leading candidate who leads in the polls under the Citizen Revolution movement, a project of former President Rafael Correa (his political adviser in this campaign), she is the only woman in the race for the presidency.
The former deputy from the left has been questioned for her contradictory positions; she has among her proposals to increase spending on welfare but opposes abortion (even for rape victims). In addition, among her most ambitious ideas is to revive the failed project of the Pacific Refinery that required an investment of 1,528 million in the Government of Rafael Correa.
In his government plan, he focuses on social rehabilitation with his project of “progressivism based on social justice”, similar to that of the Brazilian Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. For security, he highlights his proposal to combat cybercrimes and reforms in the National Police that have to do with updating salaries, gender equality and the creation of a unit of policewomen for crimes against women. According to González, his labor policy will be based on stability and decent wages. He also foresees actions in the health sector, in which he will seek to reinstate health personnel who were fired illegally during the pandemic,
Yaku Perez
For the second time, Yaku Pérez, an indigenous Ecuadorian, is running as a candidate in the presidential elections. His speech defends the environment, water and rejects mining and oil extractivism. His ecosocial flag brings as a starting proposal the recovery of investment in the field.
On this occasion, it does not have the support of the indigenous communities, but it does have the support of left-wing organizations in the Alianza Claro que se Puede, which includes the Socialist Party, Unidad Popular and Democracia Sí.
The applicant proposes to enter the most violent neighborhoods with police and military, at the same time, seeks to promote education, health, and loans for young people and housewives, with which he will try to reactivate the economy of those places. He will also promote the creation of 500,000 jobs that will help rehabilitate road, educational and health public works. Finally, in the economic area, he seeks to increase the collection of taxes from large companies that are delinquent and fight against tax evasion.
Christian Zurita
After the death of the candidate Fernando Villavicencio, on August 13 Christian Zurita was designated his successor. Journalist, Villavicencio’s partner, both worked on more than 300 investigations against corruption in Ecuador. On security issues, he will seek to equip and train the police. To revive the economy, he plans to finance social programs to lessen the security crisis.
Otto Sonnenholzner
He was vice president during the term of Lenin Moreno. He helped manage the coronavirus pandemic and was designated as one of the Young World Leaders of Latin America at the World Economic Forum.
Sonnenholzner is running as a candidate for the Let’s Act alliance with a center candidacy. In his campaign, he insists on controlling the prison system so that there is no communication between gangs and as key proposals he talks about border control and the creation of an anti-extortion unit.
In the economic sphere, he believes it is necessary to increase the external debt to close outstanding accounts and continue with dollarization. In addition, it seeks the responsible management of hydrocarbons.
In its work plan, it ensures that it will also seek the implementation of technological processes and monitoring and accountability mechanisms to make the purchase processes of medicines, vaccines and medical supplies transparent.
Jan Topic
His candidacy, under the slogan “For a country without fear”, is supported by the Social Christian, Democratic Center and Patriotic Society parties. He was a soldier of the French Foreign Legion and participated as a soldier in Syria, Ukraine and the Ivory Coast as a sniper and paratrooper. He is a follower of the security policy of Nayib Bukele, president of El Salvador.
Now called the “Ecuadorian Rambo,” this young economist and millionaire has campaigned on the promise of placating organized crime and delinquency with a heavy hand; a zero tolerance plan; However, in his government plan, his security proposals are minimal.
They emphasize the protection of rights and freedoms, preservation and maintenance of public order and defense of human rights.
His father, Tomislav Topic, is the founder and manager of Telconet, a company investigated for corruption in the Odebrecht case.
Daniel Noboa
The ADN alliance, of the People, Equality and Democracy (PID) and Mover movements, is headed by Daniel Noboa, 35, the son of businessman and five-time presidential candidate Álvaro Noboa.
Daniel Noboa was an assembly member for Santa Elena and later, president of the Economic Development Commission. He wants Ecuador to have a competitive economy through the tax system, fuel, water and electricity. He also puts the militarization of borders and the creation of five prisons for minor crimes as campaign proposals.
Bolivar Armijos
Backed by the Amigo movement, calling itself pro-life, he is a lawyer and was a member of the Citizen Revolution. He was the founder of the National Council of Parochial Governments of Ecuador, an organization that had irregularities for millions of dollars according to the statement from the comptroller.
Xavier Hervas
Businessman and politician who is competing in the presidential race for the second time after doing so in 2021 for Izquierda Democrática. This time he is going with the RETO party, founded by Paúl Carrasco.
His government plan focuses on security, emerging works and health. As it is a temporary presidency, Hervas assures that he will seek to restructure and direct the country with a secure state and solid dollarization. According to his program, in terms of security he will create joint task forces in hot zones, intensify intelligence operations and develop technology to make citizen complaints easier.
Regarding the emerging works, it will seek to promote the infrastructure that promotes employment and private investment. In addition, it seeks the development of agriculture and alliances with the business sector. Lastly, in its health axis, it promotes the creation of community health centers, health transportation in rural areas, and the supply of medicines.
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