Ecuador’s presidential election will head to a second round after a closely contested first round yielded no outright winner.
The electoral authorities declared a “technical tie” as the incumbent centre-right candidate, Daniel Noboa, edged out his main challenger, left-wing Luisa González, with a mere 0.3% difference in votes.
This unexpected closeness has set the stage for a fiercely competitive run-off slated for April.
With over 94% of ballots counted, Noboa garnered 44.2% while González closely followed with 43.9%.
Supporters of Noboa, buoyed by earlier exit polls predicting a decisive victory, rallied in Quito, displaying flags and large cut-outs of the president.
Noboa’s administration has focused heavily on combating gang violence, implementing military measures to restore safety, and his supporters hope to solidify his mandate to continue these initiatives.
The narrowness of the result illustrates the unpredictability of the election, prompting questions about future policies and party strategies.
As the nation prepares for the run-off, both candidates face the challenge of securing voter confidence in a political landscape marked by division and it remains to be seen which direction Ecuador will choose.