Ecuador Presidential Election Concludes Amid Drug Violence Concerns

Polls closed in Ecuador for a closely contested presidential election with high voter turnout. Incumbent Daniel Noboa and challenger Luisa Gonzalez focused on combating drug violence and economic recovery. The election saw over 45,000 observers deployed to ensure integrity in the process.

On Sunday, polls closed in Ecuador for a closely contested presidential election. Incumbent Daniel Noboa emphasized the need for more time to tackle drug gangs and enhance economic conditions. His challenger, leftist Luisa Gonzalez, represents a shift back to the socialist policies that dominated for a decade.

Voter turnout was notable, with approximately 84% of eligible citizens participating in the election, as confirmed by Diana Atamaint, the head of the national electoral council. The process concluded at 5 p.m. (2200 GMT) without major security incidents.

Both candidates and Gonzalez’s mentor, former President Rafael Correa, had urged their polling observers to watch for any potential electoral fraud. Each candidate deployed over 45,000 observers to the polling places across the nation.

Ecuador has witnessed a troubling increase in violence, including murders and various crimes, linked to local criminal gangs aligned with Mexican cartels and the Albanian mafia. This surge in violence has transpired over the past five years amid an economy struggling to rebound post-pandemic and rising unemployment rates.

In summary, the Ecuadorian presidential race concluded with high voter turnout and without significant incidents. Both candidates focused on pressing national issues, especially rising drug-related violence, affecting the nation. Observers were deployed to ensure fair practices during the election, reflecting the concerns over electoral integrity.

Original Source: www.jpost.com