The concern for insecurity in Ecuador was raised during the advisory council of political organizations, and the main reason was the assassination of former Presidential Candidate Fernando Villavicencio during a campaign for the early 2023 elections.

Villavicencio was assassinated on August 9, 2023, a few days before the presidential elections, as he was leaving a campaign rally in Quito.

In response to the claims, the National Electoral Council (CNE) specified that they have met with the National Police, and its authorities are aware of the risks presented by an election with the current levels of violence in the country.

CNE Counselor Jose Cabrera explained that the police consider that it would be necessary, at least, to have an armored vehicle, vest and helmet for the presidential candidates.

However, Cabrera explained that the CNE does not have the resources to acquire such means of protection, nor is it its competence.

For this reason, he asked CNE President Diana Atamaint to ask for a meeting with the Ministry of the Interior.

For the time being, the process to be followed is the same that worked in the previous elections, if a candidate feels that he/she faces some kind of danger, he/she must make a request to the Ministry of the Interior, which will carry out a risk analysis and, according to its results, will assign security personnel for that person, he added.

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