Ecuador votes in a Presidential Election on Sunday
By James Blears
Thirteen million Ecuadorians are eligible to vote and its mandatory for those aged between eighteen and sixty four.
Those who do not, are liable to be fined.
It remains to be seen who will opt out, and dig deep in their pockets, because they are fearful for their safety, following the August 9th assassination of anti-corruption, Build Ecuador Candidate Fernando Villavicencio, as he left a campaign rally in the Capital Quito.
His assassin was shot and later died. Six Colombian men have been arrested and are being questioned.
Christian Zurita of the same political party will now be a candidate.
Most Presidential hopefuls, are walking around in bullet proof vests.
Elections in Ecuador
The election came about because President Guillermo Lasso, to avoid impeachment, dissolved the National Assembly. He is not standing in this election. Former Assemblywoman Luisa Gonzalez of the Citizens Revolution Movement is the front runner in the polls. She is a protege of ex President Rafael Correa, and says she will appoint him as an advisor if she wins, and she will spend twenty five billion dollars of international reserves to boost the economy and create social programs. He is in exile, and in his absence, faces an eight years prison sentence for corruption,something he denies.
To win in round one, a candidate would need fifty percent or more of the vote. If this does not happen, there will be a second round runoff on October 15th.
Crime, especially related to narcotics is increasing and whoever wins must tackle it, without the luxury of a full Presidential term.
The next Presidential election is just two years away.
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