From midnight this Sunday until February 6, the 4,463 candidates for the presidency and vice-presidency, as well as for the National Assembly and the Andean Parliament, will be able to carry out campaign activities to promote their proposals through the written press, radio, television, billboards and digital media.

They will also be able to hold public events, rallies and meetings, paint murals or use promotional materials such as stickers, T-shirts, among others, in order to gain the support of citizens, without exceeding the budget allocated, according to the National Electoral Council (CNE).

The CNE pointed out that those who fail to comply with the established rules and deadlines will be committing serious electoral offences, punishable by fines, dismissal and/or suspension of the right to participate for between six months and two years in national politics.

This Sunday, the Citizens’ Revolution Movement, which has nominated Luisa González as its candidate for the presidency, is launching its campaign with a massive event in the Calderón Coliseum, a popular area in the north of the capital.

Other organizations will also hold campaign events in different provinces from today.

The start of the political race comes amidst controversy over whether President Daniel Noboa will ask for a leave of absence to seek votes, as required by the democratic code in the case of re-election.

Last Saturday, the National Assembly approved a resolution obliging legislators seeking re-election to leave their posts for the 33 days of the election campaign.

mh/mem/avr