Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa has expressed doubts about the first-round election results, hinting at irregularities. Independent observers, including the OAS and EU, have rejected these claims, asserting the accuracy of the results. Noboa’s rivalry with leftist candidate Luisa Gonzalez intensifies as both prepare for an April run-off election, amid accusations and criticisms exchanged between them.
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa has raised concerns over the integrity of the recent presidential election’s first-round results, citing potential “irregularities” in the tallies. In an interview with Ecuador’s Radio Centro, he suggested there were discrepancies, particularly in certain provinces, but did not provide substantiating evidence for his claims. Despite Noboa’s allegations, independent election observers from the Organization of American States (OAS) reported no significant irregularities that would question the election results.
The OAS confirmed that their findings aligned with official tallies, stating, “The mission, to date, has not identified or received indications of widespread irregularities that could alter the results of the election.” A representative from the European Union election monitoring group echoed this stance, affirming that there was no objective evidence of fraud during the election.
The recent election pitted President Noboa against leftist opponent Luisa Gonzalez in a closely contested first round, in which both candidates received about 44 percent of the votes, necessitating a run-off. Noboa expressed disappointment at what he viewed as misinformation regarding the election and a growing narrative of fraud, which he claimed lacks substantiation.
The two candidates have a contentious history, previously facing each other in a race called after a governmental crisis led to an early election. In a surprising turn, Noboa, a political newcomer, won the previous contest against Gonzalez, who is allied with ex-President Rafael Correa, a controversial figure.
Following the announcement of the election results, Noboa criticized Gonzalez’s party, alleging that its members may have released criminals to manipulate voter turnout. Conversely, Gonzalez defended her supporters, asserting their integrity and highlighting Noboa’s inability to control the rising crime rates in Ecuador.
The tension between the two politicians is palpable, with both set to compete again on April 13 in a significant second round election. Following Noboa’s claims of criminality against Gonzalez’s supporters, she refuted those allegations, emphasizing the need for civility and transparency in the electoral process instead.
Former President Correa also contributed to the debate, criticizing Noboa and his allies for what he deemed as an inappropriate reaction to the election results. Both candidates have prominent aspirations as they head into this critical run-off election, with Noboa seeking a full term as President and Gonzalez vying to defeat him.
In summary, President Daniel Noboa’s questioning of the recent election results highlights a significant challenge in Ecuador’s political landscape. While he alleges irregularities and criminal influences in the voting process, independent observers have largely contradicted these claims, asserting the accuracy of the results. As both candidates prepare for the upcoming run-off election, the rivalry and scrutiny surrounding their campaigns continue to intensify.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
