The current president and candidate for reelection, Daniel Noboa, and Luisa González, of Revolución Ciudadana, were practically tied, so analysts believe that the support of the indigenous movement could tip the balance in the second round.
Leonidas Iza, leader of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) and candidate for the Pachakutik movement, came in third place with 5.24 percent of the votes. He made it clear that his movement will not automatically endorse votes to the contenders who went to the runoff, but that this will be decided collectively.
However, Iza, who presented a leftist and anti-capitalist proposal, announced that he will not hold any kind of talks with the official movement National Democratic Action (ADN), and accused Noboa of “using the State and lying in his campaign.”
Iza mentioned, among other points, the promise of a bonus for women and young people, while sectors such as the popular and solidarity economy face months of delays in payments from the State. He also questioned the president’s announcement to grant bonuses to migrants deported from the United States, a measure that he described as electoralist.
In contrast, the leader of CONAIE did not rule out an approach to González. One of the points that could define his support is the opposition to mining and oil extraction, key issues on the indigenous agenda. From the perspective of analysts, the indigenous vote is not a homogeneous block nor automatically transferable.
Pachakutik has called for a political council meeting on Wednesday, February 19, where it will be decided what position the political organization will take in the second round of elections.
According to the National Electoral Council (CNE), with 99.9 percent of the votes counted, Noboa has 44.16 percent and his rival from the RC 43.98 percent.
Given such a close-run scenario, the votes of the indigenous sector and also of those who voted blank or null will be key for the runoff on April 13 between Noboa and González, who has called for the unity of the country and a great national agreement.
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