The current Daniel Noboh demanded re -election, with which Louisa Gonzalez was viewed as his main rival.
Voters in Ecuador are ready to choose their next president in a race under the country’s security crisis and struggling economy.
Pools opened at 7am (12:00 GMT) on Sunday morning and 10 hours later (22:00 GMT) will be closed.
Fifteen candidates are challenging the right -time President Daniel Noboh, who is a 37 -year -old son of a billionaire banana magnet, who went to power just 14 months ago. Its biggest challenge is former President Rafael Korea’s 47 -year -old ancient Protection, left -wing legislator Louisa Gonzalez.
Gonzalez has to improve the elections to defeat Frontoner Noboh in order to dramatically improve the election elections, whose iron iron or “Mano Dora”-crime view of the experts The source is considered an important element of their expected superiority.
If any candidate does not get 50 % of the vote, or the nearest rival will be 40 percent with a 10 -point lead, the second round run out on April 13.
‘Ecuador wants to change’
These campaigns have focused on widespread economy and cartel turf wars that have made the Ecuador a very dangerous from one of the safest countries in the world.
Noboh, who was previously elected in 2023 to end his predecessor, says the deployment of the army on the streets and prisons has helped reduce violent death by 15 %, which has led The violence in the prison has declined drastically, and the arrest of Major Gang has helped. Leaders
“Today, the Ecuador has changed and he wants to change his victory, Noba said at a closing campaign rally in the capital, Queto on Thursday.” “On this Sunday, claim your ability to dream again.”
But the president’s rivals have said that more work needs to be done to fight the crimes related to drug trade in recent years.
Gonzalez says she will respond to crimes through military and police operations, allegedly pursue corrupt judges and prosecutors and implement a social spending plan in the most violent areas.
“Without thinking about social justice, we can’t talk about building a peaceful, not with war, but to overcome violence,” said Gonzalez. “We’re moving towards this change with each of you … We’ll save ourselves together.”
‘The worst crisis in half a century’
Noba, one of the world’s youngest leaders, has bet on his political future on a tough view of crime, which has increased the rival groups fighting the area for smuggling cocaine.
During his first term, he declared an emergency, deployed the army across the country and submitted extraordinary executive powers to prevent violence.
Human rights groups believe that the offensive of Noba’s armed forces has led to abuse, including the killing of four boys, whose four bodies were found near the army base.
But analysts say Noboh can get edge, as violence on cartel and more than record rates promote support for strengthening rates.
Analyst Omar Malok told Al Jazeera, “Our research shows that the majority of voters want a kind of dictatorship, they want whatever theory is behind it they want an iron fist.”
“They still want a strong man who does not show any weakness or sensitivity, even if these measures have failed mostly, because in January, Ecuador’s global record of 700 casualties in the same month Has arrived. “
The security crisis has affected the economy, which entered the recession last year.
Noboa has been forced to turn to the International Monetary Fund to build a B -4BN financial war chest.
Gonzalez, ease the concern that she could terminate the IMF deal when she was elected, said on Saturday that the UN agency was “welcomed” to assist, unless she insisted on these policies. Does that hurt families working.
