Ecuador: Organizations Demand Security for 2025 Elections
Leaders of Political Organizations in Quito, July 31,2024 Photo: @adrianarobreno
July 31, 2024 Hour: 4:24 pm
CNE Councillor José Cabrera explained that the police authorities consider that it would be necessary, at the very least, to have an armored vehicle, waistcoat and helmet for the presidential candidates.
On Wednesday, several political organizations in Ecuador demanded security measures to protect the lives of candidates and guarantee the tranquility of the 2025 elections in this South American nation.
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Concerns about insecurity in the Andean country were raised during the consultative council of political organizations here, and the main reason was the assassination of former presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio during the early 2023 election campaign.
The crime against Villavicencio took place on 9 August 2023, a few days before the presidential elections, as he was leaving a campaign rally in Quito.
In response to the claims, the National Electoral Council (CNE) explained that they have held meetings with the National Police, and that their authorities are aware of the risks presented by an election with the current levels of violence in the country.
CNE Councillor José Cabrera explained that the police authorities consider that it would be necessary, at the very least, to have an armored vehicle, waistcoat and helmet for the presidential candidates.
However, Cabrera explained that the CNE does not have the resources to acquire these goods, nor does it fall within its competence. For this reason, he asked the president of the electoral body, Diana Atamaint, to request a meeting with the Ministry of the Interior.
For the time being, he said, the process that will be followed is the same as in previous elections: if a candidate feels that he or she faces some kind of danger, he or she should make a request to the Ministry of Interior, which will conduct a risk analysis and, according to its results, assign security personnel to that person, he added.
NEC projects that in 2025 some 12 presidential candidates, 17 lists for national assembly members and between seven and 22 lists of assembly members in the provinces will stand for election.
In February 2025 Ecuador will elect president, vice-president, 151 legislators, and five Andean parliamentarians.
Those elected will hold office for the period 2025-2029 and will replace those who took office exceptionally in 2023, after then-president Guillermo Lasso decreed the death cross.
Autor: OSG
Fuente: The Independent-The Star
