Arauz Wins Elections in Ecuador but will face PĂ©rez or Lasso in April 11 Runoff
With 90.4 percent of the ballots scrutinized, the president of the National Electoral Council (CNE) of Ecuador, Diana Atamaint, announced that Andrés Arauz, candidate of the Unión por la Esperanza platform, had won the first round of the presidential elections this Sunday, February 7, with 31.5 percent of the vote.
However, this was not enough for the final victory, so there will be a second and final Ballotage between Arauz and one of either Yaku PĂ©rez or Guillermo Lasso, who both registered around 19 percent of the vote. PĂ©rez maintained a slight advantage with 19.8 percent to Lasso’s 19.6 percent, with 97.5 percent of the ballots counted at press time.
Arauz’s total had risen to 32.2 percent at last count.
The businessman Lasso assured that he will be on the ballot for the runoff, although some analysts believe that the indigenous candidate PĂ©rez has a better chance of advancing. One candidate with a surprise showing, and who divided the vote, was businessman Xavier Hervas, who received 16 percent of votes cast.
In any case, the candidate from the CorreĂsta Union for Hope, AndrĂ©s Arauz, consistently led voting results, polls and exit polls.
Analysts on social media networks denounced proceedings on voting day, arguing that the CNE had manipulated the results to create the perception that Arauz would face a strong challenge from his contenders.
La manipulación del CNE es flagrante, dan los resultados parciales del conteo rápido (90% de actas del 8,2% escrutado) , para modificar la realidad y dar la imagen ficticia que buscaban:
RDP:
1Âş Arauz 31%
2Âş Yaku 20%Realidad:
1Âş Arauz 33%
2Âş Lasso 19%#Elecciones2021ecuador pic.twitter.com/NvMcqVxJ1V— Julián MacĂas Tovar (@JulianMaciasT) February 8, 2021
To win in the first round, a candidate has to achieve an absolute majority of valid votes (50 percent of votes plus one) or at least 40 percent and a difference of more than 10 points over the runner up.
The Ballotage will be held on Thursday, April 11. Following the tallying of 100 percent of the votes—likely within the next few hours—the CNE will announce whether Arauz will face Pérez or Lasso in the runoff, with the numbers currently favoring Pérez. In the eventuality of a very close call, either of the candidates can request a recount, which remains a strong possibility.
Featured image: AndrĂ©s Arauz received 32 percent of the votes so far (Photo: Johanna AlarcĂłn/Reuters)Â
(Mision Verdad) with Orinoco Tribune editorial content
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/JRE/SL
