City
Epaper

Ecuador votes in general elections

By IANS | Updated: February 8, 2021 11:35 IST

Quito, Feb 8 Amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, people across Ecuador voted in the general elections to bring ...

Open in App

Quito, Feb 8 Amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, people across Ecuador voted in the general elections to bring in a new government and renew the National Assembly (Congress).

Voting started on Sunday after an inauguration ceremony at the National Electoral Council (CNE) in Quito, with the presence of Vice President Maria Alejandra Munoz representing President Lenin Moreno, reports Xinhua news agency.

A total of 13,099,150 Ecuador, including 410,239 living abroad, were eligible to vote in the elections. There were 38,808 polling stations.

Ecuador had to choose from a record 16 pairs of presidential and vice-presidential candidates, with 137 seats in the National Assembly and five seats in Parliament also up for grabs.

Progressive candidate Andres Arauz, backed by former President Rafael Correa; former banker and conservative candidate Guillermo Lasso, who is participating for the third time; and indigenous leader Yaku Perez are the front-runners in the presidential election.

To win the first round, a candidate must get at least 40 per cent of the vote with a 10-point lead over the second candidate.

Ecuador is the first country in Latin America to hold elections this in the midst of a pandemic.

At the inauguration ceremony, CNE President Diana Atamaint also thanked the participation of the 260 international observers and the more than 2,400 national observers who monitored the elections.

At the ceremony, Vice President Munoz affirmed that these elections are "crucial" since they are taking place in a different context, "because we have not experienced a pandemic like the current one and the consequences that not all Ecuador are included in the short-, medium-, and long-term solutions could be dire".

Faced with the challenge of guaranteeing voter attendance, the CNE implemented bio-safety protocols to reduce the risk of contagion, with elections and health measures overseen by the 85,000 members of the armed forces and police.

In Ecuador, voting is mandatory for citizens between 18 to 65-years-old.

( With inputs from IANS )

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor

Tags: Maria alejandra munozcongressEcuadorNational AssemblyLenin MorenoQuitoLower house of the national assembly
Open in App

Related Stories

NationalPahalgam Terror Attack: Rahul Gandhi to Visit Srinagar on April 25

NationalCongress Committe Meets To Discuss Pahalgam Terror Attack Ahead of All-Party Meeting

NationalPahalgam Terror Attack: Rahul Gandhi Cuts Short US Visit, To Attend CWC Meeting in New Delhi

Navi MumbaiNavi Mumbai: Eknath Shinde’s Strategy to Give Strength to BJP; 12 Former Corporators Likely To Join Shiv Sena

NationalRahul Gandhi Urges States to Enact Rohith Vemula Act to End Caste Discrimination in Education

International Realted Stories

InternationalUK PM Keir Starmer calls PM Modi, strongly condemns "barbaric terror attack"

InternationalChinese investments in Thailand under scrutiny after building collapse

InternationalNepal Medical Association announces boycott of non-emergency medical services

InternationalPoGB: Raja Abid condemns education system in PoGB, demands immediate reforms

InternationalBaloch Yakjehti Committee calls for mass protests across Balochistan