President Daniel Noboa has expressed doubts about the first-round results of Ecuador’s presidential election, citing irregularities, while election observers, including the OAS, found no significant evidence of fraud. Both he and challenger Luisa Gonzalez are set for a runoff on April 13, 2025. The political rivalry remains fierce, marked by accusations surrounding crime and electoral integrity.
Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa has expressed skepticism regarding the recent first-round presidential election results, citing potential “irregularities.” In a radio interview, he noted, “We are still checking in certain provinces where there were things that did not add up,” although he did not provide specific evidence to support these allegations. Independent observers, including the Organization of American States (OAS), affirmed that they found no widespread discrepancies that would alter the election outcome, inviting any complaints to be reported to the relevant institutions.
The recent election saw President Noboa and his left-wing rival, Luisa Gonzalez, nearly tied, each securing around 44% of the votes, necessitating a runoff. Noboa has lamented the spread of misinformation regarding the elections and expressed regret over claims of fraud, noting, “There is no objective evidence to support this accusation or narrative.” Notably, both candidates have raised concerns about election integrity.
Noboa and Gonzalez’s political rivalry has persisted since they first faced each other in the 2023 elections, following former President Guillermo Lasso’s dissolution of the National Assembly. Noboa, previously seen as an underdog, ultimately won that election. During a recent interview, he accused Gonzalez’s party of releasing criminals to influence voting outcomes while asserting the courage of his constituents to vote despite perceived threats.
In response to Noboa’s claims, Gonzalez strongly rejected any association between her supporters and criminality, stating emphatically that her voters “ARE NEITHER NARCOS NOR CRIMINALS.” Additionally, she pointed out Noboa’s failure to effectively address rising crime rates, as well as his campaign irregularities that have drawn criticism. Former President Correa also criticized Noboa for not handling his loss gracefully.
Both candidates prepare for the second round of voting set for April 13, 2025, in an election steeped in contestation and political tension, as Noboa seeks re-election for a full four-year term.
President Daniel Noboa has questioned the validity of the first-round election results citing alleged irregularities. However, independent observers have not corroborated these claims. As both he and Luisa Gonzalez advance to a runoff, the political rivalry continues to intensify, with accusations and defenses from both camps being exchanged aggressively.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
