Polling stations in Ecuador have closed and President Daniel Noboa looks set to win a second term as voters rally around his promises to fight crime despite criticism that he has not done enough, BTA reported.
A repeat of the 2023 race, when voters elected the young, conservative millionaire, is looming.
President Daniel Noboa and Luisa Gonzalez are the clear leaders among the 16 candidates. All of them promise voters to reduce widespread crime.
The sharp increase in violence in the South American country is linked to the trafficking of cocaine produced in neighboring Colombia and Peru. So many voters have been victims of crime that their personal experiences will be a deciding factor in deciding whether Noboa deserves more time in office, the Associated Press notes.
Voting is compulsory in Ecuador. More than 13.7 million people are eligible to vote. To win outright, a candidate must receive 50% of the vote, or at least 40% with a 10 percentage point lead over the closest challenger. If necessary, a second round of voting will be held on April 13.
More than 100,000 police and military personnel were deployed across the country to guard the election, including at polling stations.