Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa is questioning the validity of the recent presidential election results, citing alleged irregularities without evidence. Independent observers from the OAS and EU found no evidence of fraud. Noboa’s rivalry with Luisa Gonzalez continues as they prepare for a run-off election on April 13, 2025, amidst accusations regarding electoral misconduct and rising crime rates.
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa has raised questions about the validity of the first-round results in the recent presidential election. During an interview with Radio Centro, Noboa claimed there were irregularities in the voting outcomes, suggesting discrepancies in specific provinces, although he did not provide evidence to support these allegations. He remarked, “There have been many irregularities, and we are still counting.”
Response from independent observers has been swift, with the Organization of American States (OAS) stating that their monitoring found no evidence of any significant irregularities that could challenge the official results. They asserted, “The mission, to date, has not identified or received indications of widespread irregularities that could alter the results of the election.” Their assessment was echoed by a European Union election observation group, which found no objective basis for claims of fraud.
In the recent election, Noboa and his left-wing challenger Luisa Gonzalez ended with nearly equal support, each obtaining around 44 percent of the votes. This outcome necessitated a run-off, scheduled for April. Gabriel Mato, a member of the European Parliament overseeing the elections, expressed disappointment over the misinformation being circulated, stating, “There is no objective evidence to support this accusation or narrative.”
The rivalry between Noboa and Gonzalez is well-established, originating from their earlier electoral competition. Noboa, a prominent figure associated with the banana industry, surprised many by entering the presidential race after a constitutional crisis led to a snap election. His historical victory over Gonzalez came when he garnered 52 percent in the run-off election, despite Gonzalez’s controversial connections to former President Rafael Correa, who has faced significant legal issues.
Noboa continued his attacks against Gonzalez, accusing her of facilitating the release of criminals from prisons to sway election results, while praising his supporters for voting amid threats. “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,” he stated.
Gonzalez responded vehemently to Noboa’s insinuations about her supporters, asserting that the voters of her party are law-abiding citizens. She also criticized Noboa for not adequately addressing escalating crime rates during his presidency. Recently, there have been accusations of constitutional violations regarding his re-election campaign tactics, wherein he characterized this behavior as detrimental to the electoral process.
In light of the ongoing tensions, former President Correa characterized Noboa and his allies as “bad losers” on social media. The political rivalry is set to continue as both candidates prepare for the decisive run-off election on April 13, 2025.
In summary, President Daniel Noboa has expressed skepticism about the integrity of the first-round election results, claiming irregularities without providing supporting evidence. Independent observers, however, have found no indications of fraud or discrepancies in the outcomes. Noboa’s ongoing rivalry with Luisa Gonzalez intensifies as they prepare for a run-off election in April, amidst accusations and counterclaims regarding electoral conduct and crime rates.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
