Ecuador’s elections showed transparency and relative peace, leading to a second round of voting. The CNE managed the electoral process effectively, yet public trust remains low. Challenges include misinformation, alleged bias from President Noboa, and inadequate regulation of social media campaigning. The EU EOM will observe the second round and publish a full report post-elections.
The recent elections in Ecuador were notable for their transparency and relative peace, culminating in a second electoral round with outstanding challenges. The National Electoral Council (CNE) executed the electoral process with professionalism, ensuring a rapid and clear vote counting process, which alleviated concerns about issues such as blackouts.
Despite positive evaluations of the electoral proceedings, trust in the election management remains low among the public. Civil liberties, including assembly and expression, were upheld during the electoral period, and incidents of political violence were minimal despite regional insecurities.
Nacho Sánchez Amor, head of the European Parliament Delegation, remarked on the elections, noting, “Despite being conducted in a context of insecurity, institutional fragility, polarization, and crisis, the electoral process was carried out with remarkable normality.”
Nevertheless, some challenges persist, particularly regarding President Noboa’s conduct during the campaign, which sparked claims of bias against the electoral bodies. Additionally, misinformation regarding electoral fraud was rampant, exacerbating public distrust, and social media was identified as inadequately regulated in terms of political advertising.
This preliminary report has been released prior to the completion of the electoral process, which includes critical steps like finalizing official results and addressing any legal petitions. The EU Election Observation Mission will monitor the next presidential election round and later publish a comprehensive report that will encompass their observations and reform recommendations.
The EU EOM, which began its mission on December 28, 2024, deployed 106 observers from various countries to oversee the elections, adhering to international standards for democratic elections. On February 9, the mission observed voting in 480 polling stations across 23 provinces, assisted by a parliamentary delegation endorsing the findings. The mission’s independence is guaranteed by its commitment to the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation.
In summary, Ecuador’s recent elections demonstrated transparency and adherence to democratic norms despite existing challenges. While the CNE received commendations for its efficiency, issues of public trust, misinformation, and campaign conduct remain prominent. The EU EOM will continue to observe the electoral process, ensuring comprehensive assessments and future reform recommendations are produced.
Original Source: www.eeas.europa.eu
