Ecuador’s presidential election has ended in a narrow victory for incumbent centre-right candidate Daniel Noboa, forcing a run-off with his main left-wing challenger Luisa González. The two candidates received nearly identical percentages of the vote, sparking a technical tie that will lead to a second round in April.
As of 17:00 local time, Noboa had secured a 44.2% share of the vote, while González trailed behind with 43.9%. This narrow result dashed hopes among Noboa’s supporters, who had been optimistic about his outright victory.
Noboa has focused on tackling severe gang violence during his presidency, implementing emergency measures to deploy the military to streets and prisons to curb rising crime. His supporters hope he will secure a mandate in the run-off to continue his security policies.
González, a protégé of former president Rafael Correa, has criticized Noboa for failing to deliver on key promises, such as boosting the economy and addressing violent crime. She proposes increased social spending in Ecuador’s most violent regions.
The second round is expected to be even harder to call than the first, with some polls suggesting that the outcome may remain uncertain. Whoever wins will face significant challenges, including rampant crime, high unemployment, a weak economy, and an energy crisis.
Noboa has pledged to address these issues by creating jobs, attracting investment, and increasing renewable energy production. González emphasizes the need for economic reform, social investment, and a stronger focus on tackling poverty.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4mnznmwlvo