On October 15 Ecuador went to the polls. Having seen eight presidents
in 10 years, three of whom were overthrown by a population frustrated
by the corruption, ineptitude and nepotism that characterise Ecuador's
elite, the chances of any government lasting out its mandate seem pretty
slim. However, the challenge could be in getting one of the pool of 13
presidential candidates even legitimately elected.
First counts showed the radical left-wing economist, Rafael Correa,
and two-time runner-up, billionaire banana magnate Alvaro Noboa,
neck-and-neck with around 25% each — until the voting machines, supplied
by Brazilian company E-Vote, broke down.
When E-Vote declared that it was unable to count the last thirty
percent of votes, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) rescinded its
contract, and Correa, who had been polling well over 30% immediately
before the election, claimed that a fraud had been perpetrated. Many of
the other parties have echoed his claims.
A subsequent recount by the TSE confirmed a margin of 26% to 23% in
favour of Noboa. However, Correa's party, Alianza Pais ("Country
Alliance") has produced what it claims is evidence of systematic fraud,
including photographs of members of Noboa's PRIAN (Renovador
Institucional) party at polling booths marking and removing hundreds of
ballots.
