Quito, June 26 (Prensa Latina) José Cabrera, a member of the National Electoral Council (CNE), reported today that only seven of the eight candidatures for Ecuador’s presidency were “firm” and therefore unlikely to move forward with the official campaign.
In order to start the proselytizing phase with publicity on the streets and in the media in view of the early general elections on August 20th, it is necessary that none of the applicants have outstanding legal means.
This is the case of Xavier Hervas, whose application before the Electoral Court (TCE) was challenged by the Revolución Ciudadana movement for allegedly holding shares in companies in tax havens, which is prohibited under Ecuadorian law.
“We have to wait for the TCE and then we will see if it is necessary to change the electoral calendar or not,” Cabrera said in statements to the press this Monday.
Last week, the CNE spokesman himself raised the possibility of bringing forward the July 4th campaign, but the situation of Hervas and the Reto movement distances that possibility.
For the time being, the original schedule will be maintained, with the official period for submitting candidatures between August 8th and 17th.
Although the campaign hasn’t started yet, political organizations are using digital platforms to advertise vote-seeking messages, as well as meetings and tours of their candidates through neighborhoods across the country.
Elections to elect the executive and legislative branches are scheduled for August 20.
If necessary, a possible runoff election would be held on October 15 and the appointment of the new president would be made in November.
Those who are elected will complete the 2021-2025 period, punctuated by the so-called “cross death” decreed by President Guillermo Lasso last May.
jha/avr