Ecuador’s Presidential Candidates Intensify Campaigning Ahead of Election

Ecuador’s presidential candidates, Daniel Noboa and Luisa Gonzalez, are fiercely campaigning ahead of a closely contested election, focusing on pressing issues such as unemployment and crime. Voting results are anticipated to be tight, with significant concerns regarding the political implications of a narrow victory. The election has drawn attention to candidates’ platforms, particularly their appeals to women voters and public security.

In anticipation of Sunday’s election, the two primary candidates in Ecuador, incumbent President Daniel Noboa and leftist challenger Luisa Gonzalez, have intensified their appeals to voters. Key topics of discussion included unemployment, crime rates, and targeted outreach to women voters. Noboa, 37, faces off against 47-year-old Gonzalez, who aims to make history as the nation’s first female president.

As the final campaigning period concluded, authorities enforced restrictions, including a ban on alcohol and limited foreign arrivals, seemingly to avert potential disruptions. Approximately 14 million Ecuadorians are tasked with determining the leadership direction of their nation amidst escalating violence.

Many voters express dissatisfaction with political promises, exemplified by Adela, a 29-year-old mother who shared, “There is no work and insecurity is on the rise. They always make promises, but when they are elected, they never fulfil them.” A victory for Noboa may lead to the implementation of stringent security policies aiming to mitigate violence linked to drug trafficking.

Noboa advocates for the deployment of US troops to help combat numerous drug cartels affecting Ecuador’s coastal ports. Conversely, a Gonzalez win could indicate a tilt leftward in Ecuador’s political climate and potentially chill relations with the United States, particularly given her connection to ex-president Rafael Correa.

Public sentiment appears split as fewer than a percentage point separated the candidates during the initial round of voting in February. With numerous candidates eliminated, hundreds of thousands of votes remain vulnerable in this tightly contested race. Gonzalez secured endorsements, notably from indigenous leader Leonidas Iza, yet the unity of his supporters remains uncertain.

Both candidates engaged in their final campaign rallies in Guayaquil, a city grappling with high drug-related violence. Gonzalez notably appealed to women, promising low-interest loans for single mothers, while Noboa presented himself as a candidate of change, distancing from established political figures and criticizing Gonzalez’s associations with Correa.

As Ecuador approaches its presidential election, the primary candidates Daniel Noboa and Luisa Gonzalez are making their final appeals to a divided electorate. Key issues include jobs, crime, and a focus on women’s concerns, showcasing the candidates’ differing approaches to governance. With polling suggesting an exceedingly close result, both candidates are attempting to galvanize support from remaining undecided voters, setting the stage for a contentious electoral outcome.

Original Source: www.rfi.fr