After an overwhelming defeat in the referendum promoted by his administration, the president of Ecuador, William Lassowas pronounced on the night of February 6 and assured that “when the people speak, it is the duty of the rulers to analyze, understand and accept it” and reiterated that the call for the referendum was intended to measure citizen demands.
In a video transmission from the Carondelet Palace, in Quito, the president indicated that the objective of the referendum, held on Sunday, February 5, “was always to listen to them (the Ecuadorians), whatever their pronouncement.” Lasso assured that, despite the results, he is sure that the axes proposed in his referendum are urgent and necessary for the well-being of the country.
Besides, the president called on political leaders to build a great national agreement: “They have asked us to solve the problems of our people.” For Lasso it is necessary that there be a “broad and serious debate, without dogmas or ideologies” and that the solutions can be reflected in a common project: “If we agree, a great future awaits us”, he assured.
Regarding the results that show a tough electoral and political defeat for the administration of Guillermo Lasso, since the central government lost in the eight questions he raised, the president said he was sure that even those who voted against the amendments want the same for the nation: “We are certain that beyond the results of the referendum, the vast majority of you yearn for a better country,” he said. At the same time, He assured that he accepts that the majority does not agree with what was promoted by his administration in the consultation.
The president stressed that citizen demands are the same when it comes to improving the areas of safety, health, employment, and education: “We will not shirk that responsibility… our commitment becomes stronger”, he highlighted.
The results of the referendum began to be displayed at dawn. However, during the afternoon of this February 6, the data showed an irreversible trend. Up to 8:00 p.m. (local time) on Monday, the percentage of scrutinized tally sheets exceeded, in all questions, more than 60 percent.
With 95.4% progress in the scrutiny, the first question about allowing the extradition of Ecuadorians who have committed crimes related to transnational organized crime presented 48.5% in favor of Yes and 51.4% in favor of No.
In the second question regarding making changes to the Council of the Judiciary and the General Prosecutor’s Officel, with the purpose of granting greater autonomy to this last institution, No prevailed over Yes with 56.6 percent. The scrutiny in this case is 95.4 percent.
The reduction of legislators in congress was the third question posed by the Executive. Despite the low popular acceptance of the current deputies, the vote showed a 53.3% in favor of Nowhen the minutes have been scrutinized by 87 percent.
Question four, about requiring the political movements that have a minimum number of affiliates and oblige them to keep a register of their members audited periodically by the National Electoral Council, has been scrutinized by 74.5 percent. He did not get 55.8% of the valid votes.
In the fifth and sixth questions, both referring to the change in the form of election of control authorities, which included the modification of the attributions of the Citizen Participation Council, He did not reach 59% of the vote. So far, the scrutiny of the two questions is at 73% and 72%, respectively.
The last two questions posed by the Executive had the environment as their main theme. Question seven sought to amend the Constitution to incorporate a water protection subsystem to the National System of Protected Areaswhile the last question was intended to deliver compensations duly regularized by the State, to the people who generate environmental services. In both questions, scrutinized in more than 60%, No won with 56.3% and 57.3 percent, respectively.
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