The recent elections in Ecuador led to a transparent and peaceful process, resulting in a second round amid challenges. The CNE received praise for its organization, though public trust remains low. Fundamental freedoms were respected, with minor political violence recorded. The EU EOM has identified critical challenges, including misinformation and campaign financing oversight, and will continue to observe the process to ensure democratic integrity.
The recent elections were marked by transparency and a peaceful atmosphere, ultimately leading to a second round. The Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE) received commendation for its organization of the electoral process, ensuring timely and transparent vote counting, which alleviated concerns of disruptions. Despite these accomplishments, public confidence in the election bodies remained low, indicative of underlying political distrust.
Much of the electoral process proceeded smoothly, with adherence to the established electoral timeline and updates to the voter registry. The CNE successfully implemented an electronic results management system that followed best practices for security and transparency. However, there were noted concerns regarding political bias and challenges related to misinformation.
During the electoral campaign, fundamental freedoms, including assembly, expression, and press, were respected. While political violence was largely contained, the backdrop of insecurity and institutional fragility was acknowledged. Nacho Sánchez Amor, the head of the European Parliament Delegation, remarked, “Despite being conducted in a context of insecurity, institutional fragility, polarization, and crisis, the electoral process was carried out with remarkable normality.”
Pending challenges, such as accusations of political bias against President Noboa’s maintained presence during the campaign, were identified by the EU Election Observation Mission (EU EOM). There were significant instances of misinformation, particularly regarding allegations of electoral fraud towards the campaign’s conclusion. Furthermore, the mission highlighted the need for better regulatory oversight of campaign financing and digital media advertising.
This preliminary statement is presented prior to the conclusion of the entire electoral process, which is still ongoing. Crucial stages, including the tabulation of results and resolution of electoral petitions, will continue to be observed. The EU EOM, which has been engaged in oversight since December 2024, will publish a final report post-election, detailing thorough analyses and potential recommendations for reform, ensuring democratic integrity.
The EU EOM’s presence in Ecuador highlights a commitment to verifying the electoral process against international democratic standards. Following an invitation from the CNE and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the mission consisted of 106 observers from 25 EU Member States and affiliated countries, who conducted assessments across the country. They observed voting procedures in 480 polling stations across 23 provinces to uphold electoral integrity, rooted in principles established by the United Nations.
The EU EOM’s preliminary findings indicate a mostly positive electoral process characterized by transparency and adherence to democratic principles, despite noted lingering challenges involving public trust and misinformation. Accountability in funding and media regulation were identified as necessary improvements. The continuing observation of the electoral process will provide further clarity as the situation progresses, culminating in a comprehensive final report on the elections.
Original Source: www.eeas.europa.eu
