Ecuador is preparing for a runoff with conservative expectations

This Saturday, while the electoral silence continues, meaning the prevention of any kind of propaganda, the candidates for the presidential seat remain without a public agenda.

The latest official opinion polls issued showed an upward trend in support for the Citizen’s Revolution candidate, while support for Cheb Noboa, a member of the National Democratic Action Alliance, declined despite his lead in two polls.

With this development reflected in opinion studies, few people dare to predict the likely winner of these elections, which are crucial for the country, in the midst of the largest wave of insecurity in its history, and for the Latin American region.

40,714 electoral councils will be activated on Sunday, October 15, which will open at 7:00 a.m. local time and close at 5:00 p.m., so that more than 13 million registered citizens can decide who will be Guillermo Lasso’s successor.

Ecuadorians living abroad will also be able to vote, which will be in person in this second round, with the exception of Russia, Belarus, Nicaragua and Israel, according to the National Electoral Council (CNE).

In the national territory, voting is compulsory for people aged 18-64 years on the electoral roll, and optional for young people aged 16-17 years, those over 65 years of age or with disabilities, who have the option of accessing this vote. Friday to vote at home if they wish.

More than 53,000 police officers and about 43,000 members of the armed forces will be deployed with a security operation for processing centers and electoral districts as well as for voters, candidates, elected legislators and local authorities, among others.

On the other hand, the so-called “dry law” has been in effect in the country since October 13, which prohibits the marketing and consumption of alcoholic beverages in the context of Election Day.

The National Election Commission estimates that the first results will be known starting at 6:30 pm local time on Sunday.

Whoever wins the competition will be head of the executive power from December of this year – the date has not yet been determined – until May 24, 2025, the date on which President Lasso was scheduled to end his term, and who announced his resignation from his position by applying the cross-death.

car/avr