President Noboa has reached the second round of the Ecuadorian elections

In the presidential elections in Ecuador, the incumbent leader of the state Daniel Noboa is leading, but he has not yet gained enough votes to win the first round. This follows on February 9 from the data published by the National Electoral Council after the processing of 10.61% of protocols.

It is reported that for Noboa voted 47.02%, for his main rival Luisa Gonzalez - 41.14%. To win, a candidate needs an absolute majority of votes, or at least 40%, with at least 10 percentage points separating him from his nearest rival.

If uncertainty continues, Ecuador will hold a second round of elections on April 13.

According to the national electoral council, more than 83% of the approximately 13.7 million eligible voters have cast their ballots.

Daniel Noboa and Luisa Gonzalez were the favorites among the 16 candidates, according to the Associated Press. Both promised voters they would reduce crime, which four years ago made life normal for citizens.

Last January, Daniel Noboa announced the country's internal armed conflict regime amid a worsening security situation. Before that, he declared a national state of emergency to restore order in prisons following the alleged escape of drug cartel boss Adolfo Fito Macias.

In April 2024, Noboa signed a decree declaring a state of emergency in the country for 60 days due to the energy crisis. According to the decree, the measure aims to have enough time to address the energy shortage. In addition, the decree involves the mobilization of the country's police and armed forces in order to secure critical energy infrastructure.

Also in the spring of the same year, the rating of the leader of the republic among Ecuadorians reached 82%, which made it possible for experts to assume that the militarization of the country will allow Noboa to be re-elected for another term in 2025.