Ecuador’s presidential election on Sunday is expected to be a rematch of the 2023 race, with President Daniel Noboa and Luis González as front-runners among 16 candidates. Both promise to address the country’s high crime rates, which are linked to drug trafficking from Colombia and Peru. With over 13.7 million eligible voters, the election is crucial for determining the country’s future.
Noboa, a 37-year-old millionaire with a background in the banana trade, has seen a decrease in the homicide rate during his presidency, although it remains higher than in previous years. González, a former government official and protégé of former President Rafael Correa, aims to bring change to Ecuador after being chosen as the presidential candidate for Correa’s party.
Voting is mandatory in Ecuador, and thousands of inmates awaiting sentencing have already cast their ballots. To win outright, a candidate needs at least 50% of the vote or at least 40% with a 10-point lead over the closest opponent. A runoff election would take place on April 13 if necessary.
The election follows a snap election in 2023, triggered by the dissolution of the National Assembly by then-President Guillermo Lasso. Noboa previously defeated González in the runoff of that election, and now the two candidates are once again competing for the presidency.
As Ecuadorians head to the polls, the future of the country hangs in the balance, with crime rates and political stability at the forefront of voters’ concerns.
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