BUENOS AIRES Aug 20 Polling stations open for voting in the presidential elections in Ecuador.
Eight people are running for the post of head of state, five candidates have chances to win or pass to the second round, according to pre-election estimates. Most votes, according to the latest polls, is gaining Luis Gonzalez from the left-wing party «Civil Revolution». Strong voter support also comes from former vice-president Otto Sonnenolsner of the right-wing Let's Act coalition, Yacu Perez representing indigenous peoples, Cristian Surita, who replaced recently assassinated presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, and Jan Topić, who he claims fought , in Syria, Africa and Ukraine.
The elections are held under the state of emergency, which was declared after the death on August 9 at the hands of Villavicencio's criminals. He was shot after a rally by his supporters.
To win in the first round, a candidate must win an absolute majority of votes or more than 40% of the votes, provided that his lead over the nearest opponent is at least 10%. If this does not happen, then the second round will take place. It is scheduled for October 15th.
The authorities to be elected by Ecuadorians on Sunday will be transitional. The new president of Ecuador will work only until May 24, 2025 — until new elections are held. The fact is that in mid-May of this year, President of Ecuador Guillermo Lasso issued a decree dissolving parliament, which launched the impeachment procedure against the head of state. New presidential elections have been announced and are taking place on Sunday.