Former Vice President Lenin Moreno, a leftist advocate for the disabled who was paralyzed in a 1998 robbery attempt, topped the field in Ecuador’s presidential election Sunday, according to exit polls, but it was unclear whether his margin was large enough to avoid a runoff on April 2.
Moreno, 63, is a close ally of outgoing President Rafael Correa, under whom he served as vice president from 2007 to 2013.
Three exit polls showed him winning at least 36% of votes cast, ahead of apparent second-place finisher Guillermo Lasso, a pro-business bank executive who was winning at least 26%. The two led a crowded field of eight candidates.
To avoid a runoff, Moreno, who has spent the last three years as a special United Nations advocate for the disabled, needed either 50% plus one of all votes cast, or 40% if he finished at least 10 percentage points ahead of the next highest vote-getter.
Right-of-center congresswoman Cynthia Viteri, 51, was running in third place with about 15%, according to the exit polls.
Official results will be available later Sunday night.
As vice president, Moreno oversaw a program that brought financial and medical aid to 300,000 disabled Ecuadoreans.
Correa was elected three times and has served as president for more than 10 years, earning widespread support among the poor and intellectuals for policies aiding the impoverished. But a stagnant economy, widespread corruption, running battles with the press and an autocratic governing style recently have distanced many Ecuadoreans from their leader. A majority now believe he is untrustworthy.
Although Moreno has promised to continue Correa’s policies, he has said that, if elected, he will be a more conciliatory leader and be less antagonistic to the press.
“This is a clear and unquestionable victory for the Citizen Revolution,” Moreno said during a brief news conference after polls closed, a reference to Correa’s socialist agenda. He added that Correa has governed with “dignity and transparency.” He invited the opposition to join with him to achieve “great national objectives.”
No violent incidents were reported in this Andean country where balloting by 12.8 million eligible voters is obligatory.
Interviewed as he left a Quito polling station, retired factory worker Guillermo Venegas, 63, said he voted for Moreno because he wanted Correa’s programs to continue. “Today I voted for the continued restructuring of Ecuador and I hope that my support will be reflected in an improved social reality,” he said.
Pablo Rosero, a 40-year-old financial analyst, said he supported Lasso because he wanted change from Correa’s socialist project. “Ten years is enough. The best option is Lasso because he would be the strongest opponent to the government.”
Voters also elected all 137 National Assembly members on Sunday.
An overflowing dam threatens homes in Northern California, Adele’s big night at the Grammys, Trump’s national security advisor Michael Flynn resigns, Federal officials say they haven’t broadened the scope of immigration enforcement raids, Enrique Marquez Jr. didn’t take part in the San Bernardino shooting on Dec. 2, 2015.,Russia denies that intelligence agents were in contact with Trump’s campaign team, and when the pastor at a Texas church urged his congregation to embrace refugees, 300 members left.
An overflowing dam threatens homes in Northern California, Adele’s big night at the Grammys, Trump’s national security advisor Michael Flynn resigns, Federal officials say they haven’t broadened the scope of immigration enforcement raids, Enrique Marquez Jr. didn’t take part in the San Bernardino shooting on Dec. 2, 2015.,Russia denies that intelligence agents were in contact with Trump’s campaign team, and when the pastor at a Texas church urged his congregation to embrace refugees, 300 members left.
An overflowing dam threatens homes in Northern California, Adele’s big night at the Grammys, Trump’s national security advisor Michael Flynn resigns, Federal officials say they haven’t broadened the scope of immigration enforcement raids, Enrique Marquez Jr. didn’t take part in the San Bernardino shooting on Dec. 2, 2015.,Russia denies that intelligence agents were in contact with Trump’s campaign team, and when the pastor at a Texas church urged his congregation to embrace refugees, 300 members left.
An overflowing dam threatens homes in Northern California, Adele’s big night at the Grammys, Trump’s national security advisor Michael Flynn resigns, Federal officials say they haven’t broadened the scope of immigration enforcement raids, Enrique Marquez Jr. didn’t take part in the San Bernardino shooting on Dec. 2, 2015.,Russia denies that intelligence agents were in contact with Trump’s campaign team, and when the pastor at a Texas church urged his congregation to embrace refugees, 300 members left.
Surveillance video footage shows the moment a hillside in the San Bernardino County mountains crumbles, sending rocks and snow into a drainage area below.
Surveillance video footage shows the moment a hillside in the San Bernardino County mountains crumbles, sending rocks and snow into a drainage area below.
Alhambra Resident Sergio Aguierre talks about a tree that fell and smashed into power lines on Jackson Avenue during the storm Friday.
Alhambra Resident Sergio Aguierre talks about a tree that fell and smashed into power lines on Jackson Avenue during the storm Friday.
A storm that officials said could be the strongest in years moved into Southern California on Friday.
A storm that officials said could be the strongest in years moved into Southern California on Friday.
At a press conference, President Trump shrugged off a rocky start. An executive order has been drafted to end protection for ‘Dreamers,’ who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children. New York real estate scion Robert Durst confessed to killing a writer, a witness said in court. The Governors Ball after the Oscars will be decked out for the stars.
At a press conference, President Trump shrugged off a rocky start. An executive order has been drafted to end protection for ‘Dreamers,’ who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children. New York real estate scion Robert Durst confessed to killing a writer, a witness said in court. The Governors Ball after the Oscars will be decked out for the stars.
Special correspondents Jaramillo Viteri and Kraul reported from Quito, Ecuador, and Bogota, Colombia, respectively.
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