Ecuador Holds Presidential Election: Runoff Between Banana Business Scion and Legal Practitioner

Amidst rising violence both on the streets and within correctional facilities, Ecuador’s populace is united in its demand for safety as it heads to the polls this Sunday to elect a new president.

The runoff election features Daniel Noboa, the successor of a banana conglomerate, pitted against Luisa González, a legal practitioner. Both candidates have limited experience in governance, signaling a challenging tenure ahead.

This electoral event is set against a backdrop of increased drug-related violence that began approximately three years ago and escalated in August when a presidential candidate was publicly assassinated. The citizens are cautious, limiting their outdoor activities, and the heightened sense of insecurity has even led Noboa to incorporate a bulletproof vest into his daily attire.

The incoming president, to be determined by a simple majority, will serve a truncated term lasting only 15 months, ending in May 2025. This period fills the remaining term of outgoing President Guillermo Lasso, who prematurely terminated his tenure by dissolving the National Assembly in May amidst impeachment inquiries concerning alleged misconduct related to a state-owned company contract.

Lasso, a conservative and former banker, faced continual legislative opposition following his 2021 election and opted not to participate in this special election. Prior to the opening of the polls, he urged the electorate to prioritize long-term national interests, committing to ensuring a secure and transparent voting process.

During Lasso’s administration, the country witnessed an alarming increase in violent deaths, numbering 4,600 in 2022—twice the figure recorded in 2021. The National Police accounted for 3,568 violent deaths during the first six months of 2023 alone. This surge in violence is largely attributed to the entrenchment of drug cartels from Mexico, Colombia, and the Balkans, which operate with support from local criminal organizations.

Voting is compulsory for Ecuadorian citizens between the ages of 18 and 64, with non-compliance resulting in a financial penalty of approximately $45. The polling stations are scheduled to close late in the afternoon, with election results anticipated by Sunday evening.

Julio Ricaurte, a 59-year-old engineer, expressed skepticism near a voting center in northern Quito, the capital. He cited the limited term of the upcoming president and the restrictive nature of Ecuador’s National Assembly as major constraints on effective governance.

Both Noboa and González, who have previously served brief legislative terms, advanced to the runoff after outperforming six other contenders during the first election round on August 22. Noboa, aged 35, is a beneficiary of Ecuador’s primary agricultural sector—bananas—and began his political involvement in 2021. He has previously held managerial roles in various sectors of his family’s business, Noboa Corp.

González, aged 45, has a history of governmental roles under the presidency of Rafael Correa, who also serves as her mentor. Though initially unknown to the majority of voters, her profile rose when Correa’s party selected her as their presidential candidate. She has subsequently attempted to moderate her association with Correa to appeal to a broader electorate.

Rosa Amaguaña, a 62-year-old vendor of fruits and vegetables, echoed the public sentiment, stating that resolving the safety issue should be the first priority for the incoming president.

“I hold optimism for a transformation of our country,” said Amaguaña. “The forthcoming president must, at the very least, make minor improvements.”

Reporting contributed by Gonzalo Solano from Quito, Ecuador.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Ecuador presidential election

More about Ecuador presidential election

• Election Overview
• Candidate Profiles: Daniel Noboa
• Candidate Profiles: Luisa González
• Guillermo Lasso’s Tenure
• Rising Violence in Ecuador
• Role of the National Assembly
• Compulsory Voting in Ecuador
• Drug-Related Violence and its Impact on the Election
• Public Sentiment on the Election