Ecuador's presidential election of 2025 has advanced to a second round of voting, scheduled for April 13, following a contentious first round that saw candidates Daniel Noboa and Luisa Gonzalez emerge as the frontrunners. Both Noboa, an unexpected contender, and Gonzalez have raised concerns regarding the integrity of the electoral process. Despite their reservations, the Organization of American States (OAS) reported no evidence of widespread irregularities. Former President Rafael Correa, now living in exile in Belgium, also stated there was no fraud.
Daniel Noboa, who initially entered the race as a dark horse, expressed dissatisfaction with the election's conduct. He accused Gonzalez's party of manipulating the vote by releasing criminals from jail. Noboa remarked on the irregularities stating:
“There have been many irregularities, and we are still counting,” – Daniel Noboa
He further noted discrepancies in certain provinces:
“We are still checking in certain provinces where there were things that did not add up.” – Daniel Noboa
The political landscape in Ecuador has been tumultuous since the 2023 elections, when Noboa faced Gonzalez in a similarly fraught contest. That election concluded with Noboa's victory after then-President Guillermo Lasso invoked "muerte cruzada," dissolving the National Assembly and ending his presidency prematurely. Now, as Noboa seeks re-election for his first full four-year term, accusations and criticisms continue to surface.
Luisa Gonzalez, representing the Citizen Revolution party, vehemently denied any wrongdoing and defended her supporters:
“The voters of the [Citizen Revolution] ARE NEITHER NARCOS NOR CRIMINALS” – Luisa Gonzalez
Despite the allegations, the OAS maintained that the electoral process was largely peaceful. Their mission stated:
“The mission, to date, has not identified or received indications of widespread irregularities that could alter the results of the election,” – Organization of American States (OAS)
Gabriel Mato, an observer from the OAS, echoed this sentiment and lamented the spread of misinformation:
“I deeply regret that, in addition to misinformation, there has been a certain narrative of fraud in these elections,” – Gabriel Mato
The OAS's statement highlighted the commendable conduct of Ecuadorian voters during the election period:
“I am proud of the way in which the great majority of Ecuadorians behaved in these elections. Despite thousands of threats, they decided to vote for progress,” – Daniel Noboa
The ongoing electoral dispute has brought attention to Ecuador's pressing issues, including rising crime rates. Gonzalez criticized Noboa for failing to address these challenges during his tenure. Meanwhile, Noboa's administration faced accusations of human rights abuses due to its stringent campaign practices.
Former President Rafael Correa's involvement adds another layer to the political drama. Living in Belgium after being sentenced to eight years for corruption charges, Correa dismissed claims of electoral fraud on social media. His commentary underscores the enduring influence he wields over Ecuadorian politics despite his absence.
