Ecuador’s Daniel Noboa has claimed irregularities in the recent presidential elections, which led to a runoff against Luisa González. However, the OAS and EU election observers have reported no evidence of fraud. Noboa’s government emphasizes crime management as public safety continues to be a major voter concern ahead of the April runoff election.
In a recent development, Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa expressed concerns regarding perceived irregularities in the presidential elections held on Sunday, which necessitated a run-off scheduled for April between him and opponent Luisa González. Election observers from the European Union (EU) and the Organization of American States (OAS) have assessed the electoral process and found no significant evidence of fraud.
With nearly all votes counted, Noboa garnered 44.18% while González followed closely with 43.92%, resulting in a highly competitive landscape among the candidates. During an interview on Radio Centro, Noboa attributed the narrow margin to irregularities he alleges occurred during vote counting, mentioning that the final results did not align with the higher figures projected by OAS quick count estimates. He claims to possess evidence of these irregularities but has yet to provide specifics.
International observers from both the OAS and EU confirmed the absence of fraudulent activity during the elections. The OAS reported no widespread irregularities that could overturn the election results and encouraged any claims to be directed to the appropriate authorities. They noted a correspondence between their quick count and the National Electoral Council’s final results, emphasizing their intention to cooperate with official channels.
Similarly, Gabriel Mato, the leader of the EU electoral observation mission, supported these findings, stating, “we do not have a single objective element that indicates there was any type of fraud.” He acknowledged a prevailing narrative regarding fraud but stressed that there was no substantial evidence backing such claims while admiring the overall smoothness and security of the electoral process.
During his interview, President Noboa additionally addressed public safety concerns, highlighting governmental efforts to combat rising crime rates. He noted recent police successes, such as the capture of a significant figure from the Los Lobos crime group. With homicide rates dramatically exceeding the global average, security remains a pivotal issue for many Ecuadorian voters.
Noboa’s approach to crime has faced scrutiny, particularly when contrasted with González’s call for peace over war. The runoff election set for April 13 will determine the presidency between these two candidates amidst ongoing societal concerns regarding crime and governance.
In summary, President Daniel Noboa has alleged irregularities in Ecuador’s recent presidential elections, which the OAS and EU observers have dismissed as unfounded. The results of the elections showed a closely contested race leading to a necessary runoff between Noboa and Luisa González. Security and crime remain critical issues influencing voters, as both candidates propose different approaches to these societal challenges. The upcoming runoff will mark a significant decision point for the electorate amid these concerns.
Original Source: latinamericareports.com
