Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa has questioned the validity of the first-round election results due to alleged irregularities, yet no evidence has been presented. Independent monitors confirmed the results’ accuracy. Noboa and his left-wing rival Luisa Gonzalez will compete in a run-off election scheduled for April 13, heightening political tensions in the country as they address issues of crime and electoral integrity.
Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa has raised concerns about the results from the recent presidential elections, citing the presence of irregularities in the first-round voting outcomes. Despite his claims, he has not provided concrete evidence of any wrongdoing. In an interview with Radio Centro, Noboa indicated that ongoing counts in various provinces suggested discrepancies that needed further investigation.
Independent observers, including the Organization of American States (OAS), dismissed these allegations, confirming that their findings aligned with the official results, which fell within the expected margin of error. The OAS stated, “The mission, to date, has not identified or received indications of widespread irregularities that could alter the results of the election.” Additionally, a European Union monitoring group echoed this sentiment, asserting that there were no indications of electoral fraud.
The election concluded with Noboa and his leftist opponent, Luisa Gonzalez, each securing approximately 44 percent of the votes, necessitating a run-off for the presidency. Noboa expressed regret over the narrative of fraud, referring to misinformation surrounding the election. Gabriel Mato from the European Parliament reiterated that there was no objective evidence to support such fraud claims, specifically noting that both candidates had doubts concerning the accuracy of the results.
Noboa and Gonzalez have a history of intense rivalry, initially clashing in the elections triggered by former President Guillermo Lasso’s dissolution of the National Assembly in 2023. Noboa, a wealthy banana industry heir, emerged unexpectedly as a candidate in a competitive field, ultimately defeating Gonzalez in the run-off. Tensions remained high between the two, and the upcoming election in April 2025 would serve as a rematch.
During the recent interview, Noboa criticized Gonzalez’s party, insinuating that they purportedly released prisoners to sway votes. He lauded his constituents for braving threats to exercise their voting rights, asserting, “I am proud of the way in which the great majority of Ecuadorians behaved in these elections.” However, he did not provide supporting evidence for his claims against Gonzalez.
In response, Gonzalez vehemently refuted Noboa’s allegations of criminality surrounding her supporters, emphasizing their integrity, and expressed dissatisfaction with Noboa’s failure to manage escalating crime issues. She also highlighted a recent ruling that deemed Noboa’s continuation of campaigning while granting authority to an interim vice president as unconstitutional. Former President Rafael Correa criticized Noboa’s conduct on social media, expressing disdain for what he perceived as poor sportsmanship. Both candidates will face off in the second round of voting set for April 13.
In summary, President Daniel Noboa has expressed doubts regarding the first-round voting results of Ecuador’s presidential election, citing irregularities without substantive evidence. Independent observers refuted his claims, affirming the integrity of the election outcomes. The political rivalry between Noboa and Luisa Gonzalez continues as they prepare for a rematch in the upcoming run-off election. Noboa’s criticisms and Gonzalez’s responses underline the political tensions in Ecuador as both candidates vie for leadership in a challenging environmental context.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
