President Daniel Noboa Questions Integrity of Ecuador’s Election Results

Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa raised concerns about the recent election’s integrity, alleging irregularities without evidence. Observers from the OAS and EU found no proof of fraud. Noboa and his rival Luisa Gonzalez are set for a run-off on April 13, following a contentious political history and accusations of criminal ties.

Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa has expressed skepticism regarding the recent presidential election’s first-round results, citing “irregularities” in the voting process. Despite his claims, he has not presented any evidence of electoral misconduct. In an interview with Ecuador’s Radio Centro, he stated, “There have been many irregularities, and we are still counting.” However, independent observers from the Organization of American States (OAS) reported that they found no significant discrepancies to support Noboa’s assertions.

The OAS mission confirmed that their data aligns with the official results, falling within the accepted margin of error. They noted, “The mission, to date, has not identified or received indications of widespread irregularities that could alter the results of the election.” Additionally, an election monitoring group from the European Union supported these findings, with Gabriel Mato stating, “We do not have a single objective element that there was any type of fraud.”

The first round of voting concluded with Noboa and his leftist rival, Luisa Gonzalez, nearly tied, each garnering approximately 44 percent of the total votes, thereby necessitating a run-off election. Noboa highlighted the need to clarify his doubts about the election process, while Mato criticized the narrative of fraud, saying, “I deeply regret that, in addition to misinformation, there has been a certain narrative of fraud in these elections.”

Noboa and Gonzalez have a contentious history, having previously clashed in the 2023 election cycle following the dissolution of the National Assembly. Noboa, who unexpectedly emerged as a candidate, ultimately defeated Gonzalez in a subsequent run-off. As they prepare for a rematch in April, Noboa has accused Gonzalez’s party of releasing criminals to sway the election, a claim Gonzalez vehemently denied, asserting that her supporters should not be categorized as criminals.

Gonzalez criticized Noboa’s campaigning methods and the rising crime rates during his administration, suggesting his governance has failed to address these challenges adequately. Former President Rafael Correa, a key Gonzalez ally, also commented on the matter, calling Noboa’s party poor losers. Both candidates are set to face off in the second round of voting scheduled for April 13.

In summary, President Daniel Noboa’s claims of electoral irregularities in Ecuador’s recent presidential race are contested by independent observers, who have found no substantial evidence of fraud. The upcoming run-off election will see Noboa and Luisa Gonzalez compete to secure the presidency, amidst a backdrop of mutual accusations and a troubled political history.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com